Conq 


uest 


Desert  Love 

By  Joan.  Conquest: 
They    Were  Alone   .  .  .  . 

The  magic  of  the  desert  night  had  closed 
about  them.  Cairo,  friends,  —  civilization  as 
she  knew  it — were  left  far  behind.  She,  an 
unbeliever,  was.  in  the  heart  of  the  trackless 
wastes  with  a  man  whose  word  was  more  than 
law. 

And  yet,  he  was  her  slave  1 

"I  shall  ask  nothing  of  you  until  you  shall 
love  me,"  he  promised.  "You  shall  draw  your 
curtains,  and  until  you  call,  you  shall  go 
undisturbed." 

And  she  believed  him! 

Do  you  want  to  see  luxury  beyond  your 
imagination  to  conjure, — feel  the  softness  of 
silks  finer  than  the  gossamer  web  of  the 
spider — hear  the  night  voices  of  the  throbbing 
desert,  or  sway  to  the  jolting  of  the  clank- 
ing caravan? 

Egypt,  Arabia  pass  before  your  eyes.  The 
impatient  cursing  of  the  camel  men  comes  to 
your  ears.  Your  nostrils  quiver  in  the  acrid 
smoke  of  the  little  fires  of  dung  that  flare 
in  the  darkness  when  the  caravan  halts.  The 
night  has  shut  off  prying  eyes.  Yashmaks 
are  lowered.  White  flesh  gleams  against 
burnished  bands  of  gold.  The  children  of 
Allah  are  at  home. 

And  the  promise  he  had  given  her? let 

Joan    Conquest,    who    knows    and    loves    the 
East,  tell  you  in 

DESERT  LOVE 


THE 
MAYFAIR 


•7BBB    MELROSE  AVENUE 
HOLLYWOOD,  CALIF. 


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and  shall  be  punished  accordingly. 


DESERT  LOVE 


DESERT  LOVE 


BY 

JOAN  CONQUEST 

Author  of 

"Leonie  of  the  Jungle" 
"The  Hawk  of  Egypt" 


NEW  YORK 

THE  MACAULAY  COMPANY 


Copyright,  1990 
BY  THE  MACAULAY  COMPANY 


PRINTED  IN  THE  U.  S.  A. 


CONTENTS 

PAKT  I 

FAGS 

THE  SEED * 

PAET  II 
THE  FLOWER .     .  201 

PAET  III 

THE  FRUIT  .     .    ,..    .«    «.    *    .     .  277 


2224600 


PART  I 

THE  SEED 


DESERT  LOVE 


CHAPTEK  I 

JILL  looked  at  the  East ! 

At  her  feet  sat  huddled  groups  of  women,  just  bundles1 
of  black  robes,  some  with  discs  about  their  necks,  some 
with  chains  or  golden  crescents  upon  the  forehead,  all 
wearing  the  burko  l  covering  the  entire  face  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  eyes,  and  held  in  position  between  the  eye- 
brows by  the  quaint  tube-shaped  selva,  fastening  it  to  the 
tarliah,  the  flowing  black  veil  which  nearly  touches  the 
ground  behind,  covers  the  head,  and  pulled  down  to  the 
eyebrows  leaves  just  the  beautiful  dark  eyes  to  be  seen, 
glancing  up  timidly  —  in  this  case  —  at  the  golden- 
haired,  blue-eyed  girl  above  them. 

Men  of  different  classes  stood  around,  or  squatted  on 
their  heels  upon  the  ground,  all  in  flowing  robes  of  dif- 
ferent colouring  and  various  stages  of  cleanliness,  some 
with  heads  covered  in  turbans,  some  with  the  tarboosh, 
others  with  the  kahleelyah  or  head  handkerchief,  all 
chattering  with  the  exception  of  the  higher  classes  and 
the  Bedouins,  the  latter  clothed  in  white,  with  the  dis- 
tinctive thong  of  camel's  hair  wound  about  the  head  cov- 
ering, arms  folded  and  face  passively  serene,  looking  as 
though  they  had  stepped  right  out  of  the  Old  Testament 

i  Yashmak  or  face  veil. 

9 


10  DESERT  LOVE 

on  to  the  fly-ridden,  sunbaked  station  of  Ismailiah; 
whilst  vendors  of  cakes,  sticky,  melting  sweets,  and  small 
oranges,  wandered  in  and  out  of  the  crowd  screaming 
their  wares.  Shouts  of  laughter  drew  Jill's  attention  to 
the  other  side  of  the  station,  where,  with  terms  of  en- 
dearment mixed  with  blood-curdling  threats,  a  detach- 
ment of  British  soldiers  getting  ready  to  start  en  route 
for  Suez  were  urging,  coaxing,  striving  to  make  that 
most  obstinate  of  animals,  the  camel,  get  to  its  feet  some 
time  before  midnight. 

From  them  she  looked  at  a  group  of  native  dwellings 
made  of  sunbaked  clay.  Small  square  buildings,  look- 
ing in  the  distance  like  out-houses,  with  scarcely  percep- 
tible windows,  and  flat  roofs  given  over  to  poultry. 
Near  them  the  patient  bullock  did  its  monotonous  round, 
drawing  the  precious  water  from  the  well  with  which  to 
moisten  the  arid  little  patch  of  earth  from  which  the 
fellah  extracts  the  so  very  little  necessary  to  him  in  his 
life. 

A  clump  of  slender  palms,  like  forgotten  scaffolding, 
stood  out  clear  against  the  intense  blue  of  the  sky ;  the 
desert,  that  wonderful  magnetic  plain,  stretched  away  in 
mile  upon  mile  of  yellow  nothingness,  until  as  minute  as 
flies  on  a  yellow  floor,  growing  more  distinct  at  every 
step,  with  solemn  and  exceeding  great  dignity  stalked  a 
string  of  camels,  each  animal  fastened  by  a  rope  to  the 
saddle  of  the  one  in  front,  each  apparently  unconscious 
of  its  seemingly  overwhelming  burden,  as  with  heads 
swaying  slightly  from  side  to  side  with  that  air  of  dis- 
dain which  the  dame  of  Belgravia  unsuccessfully  tries 
to  imitate  when  essaying  to  crush  the  inhabitant  of 
Suburbia  by  means  of  long-handled  lorgnettes  resting  on 


DESERT  LOVE  11 

the  shiny  arch  of  her  aristocratic  nose,  they  responded 
without  fail  to  the  soft  musical  voice  of  the  Arab  seated 
cross-legged  on  the  leader. 

Then  her  eyes  turned  to  the  West. 

To  the  mixed  mob  which  had  rushed  from  the  Nord- 
deutsclier  Lloyd  at  Suez,  leaving  the  great  liner  to  the 
wise  few,  while  perspiring  and  querulous,  and  altogether 
unpleasant,  they  had  filled  the  little  train  which  chuffs 
its  way  along  the  edge  of  the  canal  to  Ismailiah,  and 
through  the  dust  and  fly-laden  miles  to  Cairo,  where  it 
turns  its  burden  out  to  clamour  and  argue  vociferously 
with  the  wily  dragoman  who  would  take  a  herd  of  ele- 
phants to  "  do  "  the  Pyramids  in  one  hour  if  the  back- 
sheesh  proved  substantial  enough. 

With  absolute  loathing  she  gazed  at  those  with  whom 
she  had  passed  so  many  weary  days  on  the  return  jour- 
ney from  Australia. 

There  were  of  a  certain  type  of  English  women  not 
a  few,  sunburnt,  loud  of  voice,  lean  of  breast  and 
narrow  of  hip. 

Their  sisters,  wiser  and  better  endowed  by  nature, 
had  remained  on  the  liner,  taking  advantage  of  the 
empty  conditions  of  the  boat  to  repair  the  ravage  done 
to  complexion  and  wardrobe  by  the  sizzling,  salt-laden 
wind  which  had  tortured  them  since  Colombo  had  been 
left  behind. 

Two  daughters  and  a  mother  stood  aloofly  in  the 
shade  thrown  by  the  indescribable  waiting-room;  the 
mother  still  labouring  under  the  delusion  that  if  you 
can't  afford  to  send  your  girls  properly  wardrobed  on 
a  visit  to  relations  in  India,  the  next  best  method 
of  annexing  husbands  for  them  is  to  take  them  hack- 


12  DESERT  LOVE 

ing  on  a  long  sea  voyage.  For  has  it  not  been  known 
that  many  a  man  driven  to  the  verge  of  madness  by 
the  everlasting  sight  of  flying  fish,  and  the  as  enduring 
sound  of  the  soft  plop  of  the  little  bull-board  sandbag, 
has  become  engaged  to  "  a  perfectly  im-poss-ible  person 
in  the  second  class,  you  know,"  so  as  to  break  the  deadly 
monotony  of  his  surroundings. 

They  did  not  want  to  see  Cairo  or  any  other  part 
of  Egypt,  for  the  East  said  nothing  to  them,  even  a 
rush  view  of  the  Pyramids  failing  to  stir  their  shallow 
hearts;  but  they  knew  to  a  shade  the  effect  on  their 
less  fortunate  friends  when  in  course  of  time  they 
should  murmur,  "  You  remember,  dear,  the  winter  we 
were  in  Cairo." 

Added  to  these  there  were  raucous  Australians,  clum- 
sily built  guttural  Germans,  in  fact  the  usual  om- 
nium gatherum  unavoidable,  alas!  on  a  sea  voyage, 
clothed  in  short  skirts,  shirt  waists,  squash  hats,  and 
thick  boots  as  "  they  were  going  tramping  about  the 
sands,"  and  each,  of  course,  loaded  with  the  inevitable 
camera  which  gives  dire  offence  to  many  an  eastern 
of  higher  rank,  who  hates  being  photographed  willy- 
nilly  along  with  all  the  other  "  only  a  native  "  habits 
of  the  westerner,  who  with  the  one  word  "  nigger " 
describes  the  Rajah  of  India,  the  Sheik  of  Arabia,  the 
Hottentot  and  the  Christy  Minstrel. 

Free  for  one  day  from  the  restraining  manners  of 
those  others  who  at  that  very  moment  were  doubtless 
returning  thanks  on  deck  to  Allah  for  his  manifold 
blessings  in  the  shape  of  some  few  hours  of  perfect 
peace,  a  few  men  of  different  nationalities  were  either 
boisterously  chaffing  the  less  plain  of  their  companions, 


DESERT  LOVE  13 

or  ogling  the  shrinking  Eastern  women  crouching  on 
the  edge  of  the  platform.  Mr.  Billings  in  fact,  in  un- 
clean canvas  shoes  and  a  frantic  endeavour  to  find 
favour  in  the  bistre  enlarged  eyes  of  a  certain  slim 
black  figure,  was  executing  the  very  double  shuffle 
which  had  "  brought  down "  the  second  class  dining 
saloon  honoured  for  the  nonce  by  the  presence  of  the 
first  class,  on  the  occasion  of  one  of  the  purgatorial 
concerts  habitual  to  sea  life  as  known  on  board  a  liner. 


CHAPTER  II 

JILL  stood  by  herself! 

Personally  I  consider  as  infinitely  boring  those  de- 
scriptions written  at  length  anent  the  past  lives  of 
the  characters,  male  and  female,  which  go  to  the  build- 
ing of  a  novel,  so  in  as  few  words  as  possible  will 
try  to  outline  the  years  which  had  brought  Jill  Garden 
to  the  dreary  task  of  waiting  hand  and  foot  upon  the 
whimsies  of  a  neurotic  German  woman  of  great  wealth, 
and  still  greater  disinclination  to  part  with  the  smallest 
coin  of  any  realm  she  might  be  travelling  through. 

Jill,  an  only  child  and  motherless,  had  led  a  glorious 
care-free  existence. 

Adored  by  her  father  and  her  two  friends,  Moll, 
otherwise  the  Honourable  Mary  Bingham  pronounced 
Beam,  of  the  neighbouring  estate,  and  Jack,  otherwise 
Sir  John  Wetherbourne,  Baronet,  of  the  next  county, 
big  brother  to  Jill  and  worshipper  at  the  shrine  of 
Moll.  Jill  was  also  loved  by  all  who  waited  on  her, 
and  sought  after  by  not  a  few  on  account  of  her  great 
wealth,  and  had  laughed  her  way  through  seventeen 
years  of  life,  to  find  herself  suddenly  minus  father  and 
money,  with  nothing  left  in  fact  but  an  estate  mort- 
gaged to  the  smallest  pebble,  and  a  heart-whole  propo- 
sition from  her  chum  Moll  to  "  just  come  over  the 
wall "  and  restart  laughing  her  way  as  her  adopted 
sister  through  the  bit  of  life  which  might  stretch  from 

14 


DESERT  LOVE  15 

the  moment  of  disaster  to  such  time  that  she  should 
find  a  life  companion  with  whom  she  could  settle  down 
and  live  happily  ever  after ! 

But  although  Jill's  head  was  outwardly  covered  with 
great  plaits  of  auburn  hair,  through  which  broke  riot- 
ous, frivolous  curls,  the  inside  held  a  distinctly  active 
and  developed  brain,  which  had  acquired  the  habit  of 
thinking  deeply  upon  such  subjects  as  woman,  wife  and 
motherhood. 

Added  to  this,  which  is  already  quite  enough  to  put 
out  of  gear  the  life  of  any  girl  brought  up  in  convention 
bound  England,  she  had  a  heart  as  big  as  her  out- 
rageous longing  for,  and  love  of  adventure,  neither  of 
which  bignesses  she  had  so  far  been  able  to  satisfy. 

As  I  have  said  this  was  quite  bad  enough,  but 
through  and  above  all,  her  whole  rather  exceptional 
being  was  desirous  of  love.  Not  the  shape  which 
clothes  its  diseased  body  in  soiled  robes  of  imitation 
something  at  one  and  elevenpence  three  farthings  per 
yard,  and  under  ferns  in  conservatories,  in  punts  up 
back-waters,  in  stifling  tea-rooms,  hotels,  theatres  and 
night-clubs,  exchanges  sly  look  for  sly  look  and  soiled 
mouth  for  soiled  kisses,  in  its  endeavours  to  pass  itself 
off  as  that  wonder  figure  which,  radiant  of  brow  and 
humorous  of  mouth,  deep  of  breast  and  profound  of 
thought,  stands  motionless  in  high  and  by-ways  with 
hands  outstretched  to  those  futile  figures,  blindly  hurry- 
ing past  the  Love  they  fondly  imagine  is  to  be  found 
in  the  front  row  of  the  chorus,  the  last  row  of  the 
cinema,  or  the  unrestrained  licence  of  the  country  house. 

Jill  had  never  flirted  and  therefore  had  known  no 
kiss  excepting  her  father's  matutinal  and  nocturnal 


16  DESEKT  LOVE 

peck.  She  looked  upon  her  beautiful  body  as  some 
jewel  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  man  she  loved 
upon  her  wedding-night,  so  it  was  as  unsoiled  and  as 
untainted  as  her  mind,  although  she  knew  that  once 
she  loved  she  would  go  down  before  that  mighty  force 
as  a  tree  before  a  storm.  Dull,  you  will  say  all  this. 
May  be!  but  mighty  refreshing  in  these  days  when 
amourette  follows  amourette  as  surely  as  Monday  fol- 
lows Sunday,  the  only  difference  in  the  stock  being 
the  trade  mark,  which  stamps  the  one  with  the  outline 
of  a  perfect  limousine,  and  the  other  with  the  front 
seat  on  the  top  of  an  omnibus;  though  believe  me  the 
Mondays  and  Sundays  differ  not  at  all. 

Jill's  ideas  on  franchise  and  suffrage,  and  a  "  good 
time  "  as  seen  from  the  standpoint  of  the  average  so- 
ciety girl  or  woman  were  absolutely  nil. 

She  wanted  first  of  all  a  master,  then  a  home,  and 
then  children,  many  of  them. 

Her  idea  of  love  was  utter  submission  to  the  man 
she  should  love.  Her  ideal  of  happiness  his  happiness, 
and  although  she  had  no  fixed  idea  of  her  home,  she 
was  positively  certain  she  did  not  want  lodge  gates  and 
forelock-pulling  peasantry,  nor  tame  deer  inside  elab- 
orate palings,  nor  the  white-capped  nurse  stiff  with 
starch  trundling  a  perambulator  with  a  fat,  ordinary, 
rosy  heir  to  the  palings,  deer,  and  pullers  of  locks. 

So  she  sweetly  but  very  definitely  said  no  to  a  certain 
millionaire,  who  had  earned  his  banking  account  and 
the  thanks  of  many  thousands  by  his  invention  of  a 
non-popping  champagne  cork,  and  who,  adoring  the 
girl,  had  hastened  the  very  day  the  news  of  the  smash 
had  spread  through  the  country,  like  fire  on  a  windy 


DESERT  LOVE  17 

day,  to  lay  his  portly  self  and  all  that  thereunto  ad- 
hered at  her  beautiful  feet.  The  disgust  of  her  rela- 
tives upon  her  want  of  common  sense  was  outspoken ; 
for  having  overstocked  their  respective  quivers  with 
commonplace  female  arrows,  they  quite  naturally  looked 
with  dismay  upon  an  almost  beautiful  and  quite  penni- 
less and  homeless  girl  about  whom,  after  having  read 
the  will  they  referred  to  as  "  poor  Jill,  for  whom  I 
suppose  we  must  do  something  don't  you  know  ?  "  with 
a  quavering  inflection  at  the  end  of  the  phrase. 

But  Jill  did  not  stop  on  refusing  the  eligible  owner 
of  an  unmortgaged  estate.  No!  she  set  out  to  look 
for  work  off  her  own  bat,  and  actually  found  it  in  that 
occupation  which,  far  less  paid  than  more,  opens  up  a 
perfect  vista  of  possible  adventures  under  the  guise  of 
a  travelling  companion. 

She  spoke  French,  German,  and  Italian  like  natives, 
which  was  all  to  the  good.  She  danced  like  a  Vernon 
Castle,  knew  almost  as  much  about  fencing  as  a  Sa- 
violo,  shot  like  a  George  V.,  and  rode  like  a  cowboy, 
all  of  which  qualifications  she  erased  from  her  list  on 
the  termination  of  the  freezing  half-hour  of  her  first 
interview  with  her  first  would-be  employer,  who,  until 
the  enumeration  of  the  above  sporting  qualifications, 
had  seemed  desirous  of  taking  her  along  with  a  bron- 
chitic  pug  to  winter  in  Bath. 

Since  then  she  had  done  Europe  and  Africa  pretty 
well  with  never  the  suspicion  of  an  adventure,  and, 
when  you  meet  her  on  the  station  of  Ismailiah,  where 
you  change  for  Port  Said,  she  was  returning  from 
Australia,  with  a  wardrobe  at  last  beginning  to  fret 
about  the  hem,  and  shine  around  the  seams,  a  condition 


18  DESERT  LOVE 

accounted  for  by  the  emaciated  condition  of  her  purse; 
a  memory  of  good  things  and  hours  worn  thin  by  the 
constant  nerve- wracking  routine  of  capsules,  hot  drinks, 
hot  water  bottles,  moods  and  shawls;  and  a  fully  de- 
veloped rebellion  in  her  whole  being  against  the  never- 
ending  vista  which  stretched  far  into  the  future,  of 
other  such  hours,  days,  months,  yea !  even  years ! 

But  everything  was  capped  by  a  still  more  fully 
developed  decision  to  brave  it  out,  and  out,  and  out, 
rather  than  return  to  ask  the  help  of  those  whose  hand- 
clasp had  weakened  in  ratio  to  the  dwindling  of  the 
gold  in  her  coffers. 


CHAPTER  III 

A.ND  why  did  she  stand  by  herself  ? 

This  is  no  riddle,  the  answer  being  too  easy.  Men 
ft  mid  have  answered,  "  Guessed  in  once,  she  was 
p*etty !  "  And  the  women  would  guess  in  once  too, 
but  would  keep  silent,  the  pretty  ones  merely  smiling, 
having  sampled  the  Coventry-sending  powers  of  plain 
women  in  the  majority  on  board,  and  the  plain  ones 
from  that  unwillingness  inborn  or  inherited  in  every 
woman  to  admit  good  looks,  or  good  anything  for  that 
matter,  in  a  member  of  her  own  sex. 

And  she  was  pretty,  with  the  prettiness  of  youth  al- 
lied to  genuine  red-gold  hair,  and  the  bluest  of  blue  eyes, 
which  looked  at  you  in  disconcertingly  straight  manner 
from  between  the  longest  black  lashes  you  ever  saw. 

She  sounds  very  much  like  a  "  Dainty  Novel  heroine," 
but  I  have  met  her  and  I  know,  and  she  also  had  a 
mouth  turned  up  at  the  corners,  and  the  loveliest  teeth, 
a  nose  which  also  turned  up,  not  unduly,  and  a  skin  on 
which  lay  the  merest  suspicion  of  powder  like  dust  on 
a  butterfly's  wings,  also  two  jet  black  grains  de  beaute, 
one  at  the  corner  of  her  mouth  and  the  other  on  top  of 
the  left  cheek,  just  under  the  outside  corner  of  the  eye. 

Ravissante!  Her  beauty  was  nature's  own,  and  she 
had  the  loveliest,  longest,  narrowest  feet  ever  shod  and 
silken  hosed  by  Audet,  and  as  lovely  out  of  the  silken 
hose  as  in. 

But  all  that,  though  it  pleased  the  eye,  did  not  really 
constitute  her  real  charm.  It  was  more  the  idea  of 
strength,  and  buoyancy,  and  the  love  of  humanity  she 

19 


20  DESERT  LOVE 

gave  out,  that  attracted  young  and  old,  rich  and  poor, 
dogs,  children,  and  the  sick  of  soul  and  body  to  her. 

The  type  of  woman  who  owns  the  husband  of  a 
roaming  disposition  and  has  not  got  accustomed  to 
the  disposition,  or  the  woman  eager  to  acquire  a  hus- 
band of  any  disposition  whatever,  liked  her  not  at  all, 
failing  to  see  that  she  was  genuinely  uninterested  in 
other  people's  male  belongings. 

Those  who  think  to  lure  men  by  the  mystery  of  a 
tobacco  cloud  permanently  around  the  head,  or  to  stim- 
ulate by  the  sight  of  a  glass  which  looks  like  lemonade 
but  isn't,  nestling  among  the  everlasting  cards  and 
cigarette  debris,  disliked  her  intensely,  not  so  much  be- 
cause she  did  not  ally  herself  with  them,  as  for  the  fact 
that  she  did  not  range  herself  against  them,  having  even 
been  heard  to  remark  that  the  world  would  be  a  deadly 
dull  place  if  everyone  enjoyed  the  same  pleasure  and 
the  same  wickedness.  Just  three  more  items  to  add  to 
the  long  list  against  her  on  this  particular  voyage. 

Firstly,  had  she  not  one  sizzling  Red  Sea  day  ap- 
peared with  her  hair  hanging  in  two  great  plaits  reach- 
ing below  her  knees  ?  Which  escapade  might  have  es- 
caped uncensured  if  accompanied  by  the  whitish  eye- 
lashes, forceful  freckles,  and  pungent  aroma  usually 
allied  to  reddish  hair,  but  as  it  was,  the  combination 
of  the  red-gold  glory  with  blackest  curling  lashes,  skin 
like  satin,  and  the  faintest  trace  of  Devonshire  lav- 
ender, created  a  perfect  scandal  among  those  whose 
locks  were  either  limply  curtaining  their  owner's  cheeks 
or  blinding  the  eye,  or  cached  under  some  head  cover- 
ing were  acquiring  a  wave  which  might  with  luck  last 
out  the  dinner  and  bridge  hours. 


DESERT  LOVE  21 

Secondly,  although  a  penniless  companion,  she  al- 
lowed no  familiarity  from  the  men  and  no  condescen- 
sion from  the  women;  and  thirdly,  her  shoes  gave  rea- 
son for  envy,  hatred,  malice,  and  all  uncharitableness, 
being  on  the  day  you  met  her  exquisite  champagne  col- 
oured things,  her  critics  little  guessing  that  the  reason 
she  wore  them  was  that  she  had  none  thicker,  and  no 
money  wherewith  to  buy  any. 

This  last  point  sounds  almost  absurd,  but  those  who 
know  will  any  day  back  the  woman  with  dainty  ankles, 
pretty  feet,  the  glimpse  of  white  lace  and  a  plain  face, 
against  the  really  beautiful  countenance  up  above  the 
shapeless  ankle-calf  combine,  and  the  foot  that  in  two 
days  gives  a  shoe  the  shape  of  the  bows  of  a  dinghey. 

So  because  of  all  these  reasons,  also  because  all  the 
nice,  wise  people  who  loved  her  having  stayed  behind, 
she  stood  alone,  her  heart  clamouring  for  life  and 
adventure,  which  comes  to  about  the  same  thing,  and 
which  she  sensed  is  to  be  fou^id  so  much  more  easily 
in  the  East  she  was  leaving  behind  in  the  space  of  a 
few  hours.  The  rest  of  her  rebelling  against  the  West, 
the  monotonous  days  on  the  boat  racing  her  back  to 
England  in  November,  with  nothing  to  do,  too  much  to 
eat,  and  the  trail  of  medicine  glasses,  cushions,  gouty, 
dyspeptic,  and  neurotic  employers  lengthening  into  the 
drab  future. 

"  Allah  !  help  me !  "  she  whispered,  and  really  mean- 
ing it,  as  she  turned  to  look  again  at  the  camels  stalking 
on  into  the  desert,  and  finding  herself  instead  looking 
straight  into  the  eyes  of  an  Arab  standing  behind  her. 

And  here,  I  hope,  endeth  the  dullest  part  of  the  book. 


CHAPTER  IV 

ARABS  as  a  race  are  tall,  most  of  them  having  a  grave 
look  of  nobility,  all  without  exception  inheriting  from 
their  forefathers  Ishmail  or  Johtan  that  air  of  studied 
calm,  that  seldom  smiling,  never  restless  attitude,  which 
expresses  the  height  of  dignity  and  gravity.  There 
were  many  of  them  in  this  motley  station  crowd,  also 
Bedouins,  smaller  of  stature,  and  the  members  of  the 
many  other  tribes  which  go  to  populating  the  great 
Egyptian  desert.  But  not  one  of  all  the  men,  mag- 
nificent though  some  of  them  were,  could  compare  with 
Hahmed  the  Camel  King,  who,  standing  alone  and  mo- 
tionless with  folded  arms,  let  his  eyes  rest  upon  this 
most  fair  woman  from  the  West. 

Jill  was  accustomed  to  being  looked  at,  from  the 
impudent  stare  of  Frenchmen,  the  open  look  of  admira- 
tion, both  male  and  female,  of  the  Italian,  to  the  never- 
to-be-forgotten  look  of  Berlin  that  had  seemed  to  un- 
dress and  leave  her  naked  in  the  street. 

But  now  under  grave  scrutiny  she  felt  the  colour, 
which  made  her  even  more  lovely,  rising  from  chin 
to  brow,  and  longed  to  cover  her  face  or  to  run  away 
and  hide,  though  there  was  nothing  but  a  wondering 
respect  in  the  Arab's  eyes. 

For  one  moment  his  eyes  met  hers,  then  she  slowly 
lowered  the  heavy  white  lids  with  their  fringe  of  curling 
lashes,  and,  turning,  stood  looking  out  over  the  desert. 

22 


DESERT  LOVE  23 

where  she  no  longer  saw  the  stretches  of  yellow  sand, 
nor  the  string  of  camels  stalking  away  into  the  dis- 
tance, nor  the  mud  houses  and  patient  bullocks.  No! 
nothing  of  all  these,  but  instead,  just  one  man's  face, 
oval,  lean-featured,  eyes  brilliantly  black  and  deep-set 
under  thick  eyebrows,  an  aquiline  nose,  the  lower  part 
of  the  face  covered  in  a  sharp  pointed  beard,  and  the 
thick  virile  hair  by  a  snow-white  kahleelyah,  bound  by 
a  band  to  the  well-shaped  head. 

A  man  was  he  indeed  with  a  width  of  shoulder  rarely 
seen  in  an  Arab,  standing  well  over  six  foot,  in  spotless 
white  robes  sweeping  to  his  feet,  a  cloak  of  finest 
black  cloth  falling  over  all  in  swinging  folds,  failing, 
however,  to  hide  that  look  of  tremendous  strength  which 
impresses  one  so  in  some  of  the  long-limbed,  lean,  mus- 
cular inhabitants  of  the  desert. 

Jill  walked  over  to  the  edge  of  the  platform  which 
as  a  rule  is  only  raised  a  few  inches  above  the  rail,  and 
after  a  few  seconds  beckoned  her  employer's  special 
dragoman,  who  had  annexed  himself  at  Cairo  and  pre- 
sumably would  only  be  shaken  off  on  deck. 

He  came  immediately,  all  smiles. 

All  the  so-called  lower  classes  smiled  upon  Jill,  from 
the  coster  in  Whitechapel  to  the  Kaffir  at  the  Cape. 
And  why?  Why,  because  she  smiled  when  she  asked 
a  service. 

"  Be  more  dignified !  "  she  would  indignantly  reply 
when  remonstrated  with  about  the  native.  "  They  cer- 
tainly show  a  varied  degree  of  blackness  in  their  skin, 
and  have  less  brains  than  some  of  us,  but  they  are 
human,  so  I  shall  continue  to  smile  if  I  like,"  and  smile 
she  did,  and  they  smiled  too  and  ran  to  do  her  bidding. 


24  DESERT  LOVE 

Not  that  she  indulged  in  the  "  our  dear  black 
brother "  views  of  those  people  who,  from  utter  lack 
of  knowledge  upon  the  subject,  believe  that  with  the 
exception  of  a  certain  difference  in  the  pigment  which 
embellishes  the  skin,  the  lowest  type  of  Hottentot  has 
the  same  ideals,  desires,  and  outlook  on  life  as  the 
highest  born,  or,  as  I  think  to  be  more  correct,  I 
should  say,  the  cleanest  living  individual  in  the  Western 
Hemisphere. 

She  did  not  approve  of  the  promiscuous  mingling  of 
the  white  and  black  as  is  so  often  and  so  unhappily 
seen  in  London,  where  a  servant  girl  maybe,  will 
ecstatically  spend  her  evening  out  under  the  protection 
of  some  ebony  hued  product  of  Africa  and,  labouring 
under  the  delusion  that  the  dusky  swain  is  the  direct 
descendant  of  Cetewayo.  also  totally  lacking  all  knowl- 
edge of  African  history,  will  fondly  imagine  herself  a 
queen  in  embryo,  instead  of  which  she  is  merely  the 
means  to  feed  the  lustful  longing  for  the  white  in  some 
Cape  boy,  who  believes  he  hides  the  roll  of  his  native 
walk  under  an  exaggerated  skirt  to  his  over-padded 
coat. 

And  she  equally  hated  to  see  the  social  butterfly 
smile  upon  the  high-born  native  of  India,  angling  for 
his  lakhs  with  the  bait  of  a  fair  white  skin  upon  which 
to  fasten  a  string  of  priceless  pearls,  gathering  her 
fastidious  skirts  about  her  at  the  sign  of  any  feeling- 
more  human  than  that  which  she  would  allow  from  a 
respectable  bank  manager,  recoiling  disdainfully  from 
a  man  whose  ancestors  were  mighty  in  the  land 
when  hers  were  just  beginning  to  break  through  the 
crust  of  serfdom,  as  a  toad  will  crack  and  throw 


DESEKT  LOVE  25 

back  the  caked  mud  under  which  it  has  blissfully 
slept. 

As  a  preventative  to  social  and  racial  mishaps  she 
thoroughly  endorsed  the  theory  that  "  East  is  East  and 
West  is  West,  etc."  But  in  her  heart,  or  rather  in 
her  somewhat  searching  brain,  she  had  often  wondered 
if  there  could  be  no  exception  to  the  ruling,  if  half  of 
the  East  and  half  of  West  could  never  combine  to  make 
a  perfect  whole. 

All  smiles  the  dragoman  ran  forward,  saluting  her 
with  hands  to  forehead,  mouth,  and  breast. 

"  Do  you  know  who  that  man  is  ?  "  she  asked,  indi- 
cating with  a  scarcely  perceptible  movement  of  the 
head  the  Arab  who  had  not  moved  a  muscle  since  she 
had  turned  away  from  him  to  look  at  his  homeland,  the 
desert. 

"  'Im !  My  lady !  "  replied  the  native,  eyes  and 
white  teeth  flashing  as  he  essayed  in  his  best  Anglo- 
French  to  please  the  beautiful  foreigner  who  so  gra- 
ciously spoke  to  him.  "  'Im  ?  Oh,  'im !  is  Hahmed 
the  Camel  King.  'Im  provide  the  camels  for  Govern- 
ment '  Camels  Corpse,'  "  pointing  to  the  Camelry  Corps, 
where  perspiring  Tommies  and  a  seething  mass  of 
brown  beasts  were  literally  raising  the  dust  on  the  other 
side  of  the  railroad.  "  'Im,"  he  continued,  "  is  ze 
great  man,  from  far  away  over  ze  Canal  from  ze 
greates'  and  best  part  of  South  Arabia.  Is  rich,  oh! 
rich !  Oh !  so  very  rich — riche  com/me  le  diable,  Ma- 
dame. Is  master  of  many  villages,  many  peoples,  but 
is  'ow  say,  my  lady  —  est  etrange  —  and  feared.  'Is 
word  is  ze  law  and  'is  arm  is  ze  iron  and  'e  can  also 
shoot  ze  fly  on  ze  top  of  Cheops !  " 


26  DESERT  LOVE 

The  man  paused,  literally  from  want  of  breath. 

"  He  is  evidently  a  very  fine  man,"  said  Jill,  it  must 
be  confessed  a  little  disappointedly,  having  expected 
something  a  little  less  ordinary  in  the  way  of  history, 
*'  but  I  can't  say  I  see  anything  strange  about  it  all !  " 

The  dragoman,  slightly  downcast  by  the  lack  of  en- 
thusiasm on  the  part  of  his  audience,  took  in  a  huge 
quantity  of  the  absolutely  stifling  air  and  started  afresh. 

"  Oh !  mais,  Madame,  ze  strange  zing  is  zat  wiz  all 
'is  rich,  all  'is  camel,  all  'is  'ouse  —  ah !  I  forgot  zat 
is  'is  Ismailiah  'ouse,"  pointing  a  long,  brown  finger 
to  a  huge  pink  edifice,  standing  like  a  huge  pink  birth- 
day cake  under  the  blazing  sun  on  the  edge  of  the 
town  — "  'e  'aj  no  woman  —  no  not  an  one  —  not  wile 
—  not  lady  —  zere  is  tales  of  one  wife  long  ago  over 
zere,"  pointing  vaguely  in  the  direction  he  imagined 
South  Arabia  might  be,  "  but  feared,  we  say  and  ask 
nozing  —  no !  ze  great  Hahmed  live  alone  —  not 

zere "  Once  more  pointing  contemptuously  to  the 

pink  abode.  "  Zat  but  a  business  'ouse  —  ze  most  beau- 
tiful place  in  one  oasis !  Ze  Flat  Oasis !  Ah  Madame ! 
comme  cest  61  lie  —  I  who  'ave  been  on  camel  business 
can  tell,  ze  'ouse,  ze  shade,  ze  water  —  but  no  lady,  no 
children,  no  son,  no  one — 'e  go  and  sleep  and  live 
all  by  self  alone  —  trisie,  Madame,  because  'e  is  ze 
great,  ze  just,  but  go  always  alone  in  ze  night  to  'is 
oasis  bien  aimee  and " 

And  here  the  uplifting  of  an  angry  guttural  voice 
caused  him  to  turn  and  run  hurriedly  towards  a  figure 
vehemently  signalling  with  a  huge  fawn-coloured  sun- 
shade lined  with  green. 

And  as  he  ran  the  soul  of  the  desert,  born  of  the  sun, 


DESEKT  LOVE  27 

palms,  ennui,  flies,  the  sand,  and  Allah  knows  what 
besides,  suddenly  sat  up  in  Jill's  eyes  and  laughed, 
and  as  she  laughed  the  words  "  Go  always  alone  in 
ze  night  to  'is  oasis  bien  aimee  "  rang  in  the  girl's 
ears,  as  a  strange  and  startling  idea  flashed  across  her 
mind. 

For  and  against  the  idea  ranged  her  thoughts;  up- 
held one  moment  by  the  insistent  clamouring  of  her 
whole  soul  for  freedom;  combated  the  next  by  the 
inherited  deference  to  convention  planted  by  long  dead 
generations  in  the  mind  soil  of  almost  every  British 
subject. 

Why  should  she  not  break  away  and  strike  out  on 
her  own,  if  only  for  a  few  hours  ?  But  would  she  not 
be  running  into  positive  physical  danger  if  she  did  so  ? 
Still  it  would  only  be  for  a  few  hours  —  a  swift  ride 
into  the  desert  —  a  glimpse  of  a  desert  home  —  a  break 
anyhow  in  the  deadly,  soul-stifling  monotony  of  her 
daily  round.  Yes !  but  what  did  she  know  of  the  man 
outside  the  eulogies  of  the  dragoman,  who  for  all  she 
knew  might  be  leagued  with  him  in  nefarious  schemes. 

And  yet,  no  one  cared  if  she  lived  or  died  in  soul  or 
body.  Marry  she  would  not  for  years,  and  years, 
though  of  a  truth  that  prospect  would  become  more 
and  more  remote  as  youth  vanished  and  the  waters 
of  her  wealth  remained  at  low  tide.  But  the  most 
irresistible  argument  in  favour  of  the  mad  idea  was 
that  so  far  she  had  not  had  one  single  real  adventure. 

"  Allah !  "  she  whispered,  clasping  her  hands  invol- 
untarily. "  Where  is  my  path  ?  Show  me  the  way 
out!" 

And  even  as  she  unclasped  her  hands,  she  heard  a 


28  DESERT  LOVE 

faint  tinkle  of  coins  in  the  well-worn  little  bag  hanging 
from  her  wrist. 

"  Allah  has  heard !  "  she  murmured  to  herself,  as  she 
fished  for  a  coin. 

"  Heads  I  speak  —  tails  I  go  back  to  England,"  she 
continued,  placing  the  silver  coin  on  her  thumb  nail, 
flipping  it  into  the  air,  and  catching  it  on  the  back  of 
her  hand.  "Heads.  Oh!" 

And  giving  herself  no  time  to  think,  whilst  the  soul 
in  her  eyes  first  frowned  and  then  laughed  in  glee, 
she  turned  and  crossed  the  few  yards  covered  by  the 
sand  which  for  centuries  blown  hither  and  hither  had 
been  waiting  to  make  a  carpet  for  her  lovely  feet  to 
tread  when  Allah  in  his  graciousness  should  show  her 
the  path,  which  would  lead  her  to  the  way  out. 


CHAPTEK  V 

JILL  had  an  entrancing  speaking  voice.  She  spoke 
on  a  low  note,  and  having  trained  the  muscles  of  the 
throat  to  relax  or  tighten  at  will,  she  was  able  to  throw 
all  manner  of  inflection  into  the  words,  and  all  shades 
of  tone  and  melody  into  the  chords  of  the  beautiful 
musical  instrument  which  is  so  terribly  neglected  the 
world  over. 

So  that  when  she  spoke,  her  words  sounded  like  the 
chiming  of  distant  bells  in  the  ears  of  the  man,  and 
his  heart  seemed  likely  to  be  engulfed  in  the  golden 
stream  of  a  voice  through  which  continuously  rippled 
a  gentle  laughter. 

"  Monsieur  will  forgive  me  for  speaking  in  this 
abrupt  way,  but  the  moments  are  few  in  which  to 
make  my  request.  I  hear  that  in  the  desert  is  a  beau- 
tiful oasis,  and  many  beautiful  Arabian  horses.  I 
have  never  seen  an  oasis,  for  you  see  I  know  nothing 
of  Egypt,  but  I  once  had  an  Arab  mare.  She  was 
wonderful  and  white.  Perhaps  Monsieur  has  some  of 
her  brothers  or  sisters?  And  just  for  once  I  should 
like  to  see  the  desert  stars  at  night,  and  the  desert  sun 
at  dawn.  Could  Monsieur  take  me  to  see  these  things 

if "  And  then  the  golden  voice  stopped  short,  and 

the  girl  involuntarily  took  one  step  backward. 

Those  who  know  the  race  know  that  the  Arab  has 
a  tremendous  control  over  his  emotions.  He  can  love 


30  DESERT  LOVE 

and  kill  in  one  moment,  but  until  the  woman  is  liter- 
ally swept  off  her  feet,  or  the  man  or  woman  is  dead 
in  a  heap,  neither  by  voice  or  gesture  will  he  betray 
the  passion  consuming  him. 

The  voice,  the  greatest  betrayer  of  mankind,  is  es- 
pecially under  control  of  these  exceedingly  strong  men. 
No  matter  what  paroxysm  of  rage,  revenge,  or  desire 
may  be  shaking  the  man  to  the  innermost  depth  of  his 
being,  his  voice  flows  on  just  as  musically,  just  as 
softly. 

But  Jill,  being  observant,  had  noticed  that  although 
the  hands  lay  folded  on  the  crossed  arms,  the  nails 
were  dug  into  the  palms,  and  raising  her  eyes  to  the 
sombre  face  for  explanation,  had  encountered  two  eyes 
blazing  with  a  mighty  anger. 

There  are  many  ways  in  which  to  incite  the  Arab  to 
wrath,  but  believe  me,  the  way  which  will  most  surely 
lead  to  sudden  murder,  or  to  long  bloody  feud  drawn 
out  over  many  years,  passing  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration, is  the  way  of  ridicule. 

Let  him  think  that  you  are  laughing  at  him,  and  I 
should  advise  you  to  take  the  nearest  camel,  train,  or 
boat,  or  any  other  means  of  locomotion  to  hand,  and 
fly  the  country. 

The  country  mind  you,  for  hide  you  ever  so  craftily, 
he  will  find  you,  even  though  your  hair  be  white,  and 
your  figure  bent  with  the  passage  of  years,  and  then, 
only  then  will  he  be  appeased,  when  -the  real  or  im- 
agined jest  at  his  expense  has  been  lost  in  the  deep 
colour  of  your  rich  red  blood. 

So  that  when  the  Arab  spoke  a  light  of  understand- 
ing dawned  upon  Jill,  for,  touching  his  forehead, 


DESERT  LOVE  31 

mouth,  and  a  spot  on  his  raiment  just  above  his  heart 
with  his  right  hand,  and  murmuring  the  customary 
salutation,  "  May  peace  be  upon  you,"  he  paused  for 
a  moment,  and  then  continued,  "  But  it  pleases  Ma- 
dame to  jest  with  me.  She  awaits  the  train  to  take 
her  to  the  boat,  how  therefore  could  she  come  into  the 
desert  to-night  ?  " 

But  Jill  was  absolutely  unafraid!  Having  known 
no  master,  she  cared  not  one  sou  for  any  son  of  man, 
or  any  untoward  position  she  might  find  herself  in,  so 
opening  wide  her  very  beautiful  eyes  she  simply  smiled 
back  into  the  angry  ones  which  looked  down  upon  her 
from  some  considerable  height,  and,  with  a  little  shrug 
of  her  shoulders,  a  habit  acquired  from  one  of  a  suc- 
cession of  foreign  governesses,  she  made  reply  in  her 
turn,  and  in  words  which  though  absolutely  common- 
place served  as  the  golden  key  with  which  to  unlock 
the  bejewelled,  golden  casket  of  this  man's  love. 

In  any  Western  country  the  situation  would  have 
been  absurd!  An  English  girl,  minus  scenery  and 
every  accessory  due  to  a  book  heroine,  capable  in  five 
brief  minutes  of  smiting  the  heart  of  one  of  Egypt's 
most  renowned  men ! 

Ridiculous ! 

Perhaps  in  the  lands  of  fogs  and  fires,  grey  skies 
and  east  winds,  but  not  in  Egypt,  where  the  sun,  sky, 
winds,  and  memories  serve  rather  to  force  the  growth 
of  the  love-plant  and  hasten  the  budding  of  the  passion- 
flower. 

Studiously  buttoning  up  the  last  button  which  she 
always  left  undone  on  her  last  pair  of  suede  gloves, 
smooth  as  a  newly  born  whippet  puppy,  and  as  yet 


32  DESEET  LOVE 

unruffled  from  the  cleaner's  manipulations,  she  spoke 
with  a  ripple  of  laughter  which  made  it  impossible  to 
decide  if  she  was  speaking  seriously  or  not. 

"Madame  permits  herself  to  do  just  as  she  pleases.' 
If  by  some  unforeseen  circumstances  she  were  to  miss 
the  train,  would  she  be  taken  to  see  the  oasis,  and  the 
horses,  and  the  stars  ?  " 

And  let  it  be  understood  that,  in  her  utter  ignorance 
of  deserts,  she  imagined  the  oasis  could  be  reached 
after  a  journey  of  a  few  hours. 

For  one  moment  there  was  dead  silence  between 
these  two,  the  strings  of  whose  lives  Fate  was  inex- 
tricably mixing  in  her  fingers,  palsied  by  age,  and 
fretted  by  the  constant  tugging  and  straining  of  those 
other  threads  which,  in  moments  of  senile  anger  or 
childishness,  she  gets  into  such  hopeless  tangles. 

Then  as  the  shriek  of  an  engine  whistle  shrilled 
faintly  in  the  distance  the  man  spoke,  his  voice  sink- 
ing to  that  deep  note  which  no  other  nation  attains, 
resembling  in  no  way  the  Russian  bass,  and  which  in 
the  Arab  upon  rare  occasions  alone  betrays  some  emo- 
tional upheaval. 

"  Listen,  woman  of  the  West,  who  even  at  this  mo- 
ment stands  in  my  shadow,  between  that  faint  en- 
gine whistle  and  the  grinding  of  the  brakes  as  the 
train  comes  to  a  standstill,  you  must  make  your  choice. 
A  few  moments  ago  I  saw  you  toss  a  silver  coin  and 
decide  quickly  that  which  had  been  decided  already  for 
you  since  the  beginning  of  all  time. 

"  Once  more  you  shall  cast  your  die.  The  table 
is  the  sand  of  Egypt,  the  dice-cup  is  your  hand,  the 


DESERT  LOVE  33 

dice  are  your  life  and  my  life,  the  stakes  our  happiness. 
Decide  again  and  quickly  for  I  hear  the  rumbling  of 
wheels.  Make  known  your  choice,  for  although  we 
travellers  through  the  desert  of  life  lie  down  to  sleep, 
and  rise  again  to  live,  to  fight,  to  hate,  and  above  all 
to  love,  in  obedience  to  the  will  which  counteth  and 
heapeth  the  particles  of  sand  upon  this  station,  yet 
are  we  allowed  to  voice  our  desires,  being  mouth- 
pieces of  Fate.  Nay!  wait  one  moment  until  I  make 
clear  the  way,  so  that  you  may  not  put  down  your 
beautiful  feet  blindly  upon  a  trackless  waste  of  doubt 
and  mistrust.  If  you  come  with  me  to-night,  you 
come  alone.  I  have  no  woman  in  my  desert  home, 
excepting  one  old  hunchback  slave,  a  withered  bough 
but  faithful.  No  woman  has  set  foot  within  the  belt 
of  palms  surrounding  my  house,  and  without  the  sand 
stretches !  Mile  upon  mile  of  pathless  sanji ! 

"  You  will  come  into  the  desert  alone  with  me,  and 
the  sand  will  close  in  upon  you  and  keep  you  in  the 
desert  alone  —  with  me ! 

"  If  you  come,  be  at  the  gate  of  yonder  pink  house 
at  nine  to-night ;  if  you  are  not  there  I  shall  know  that 
your  heart  has  failed." 

But  the  soul  of  the  desert  glinted  for  one  moment 
in  the  English  girl's  eyes. 

"  There  may  be  no  woman  there,  but  there  will  be 
a  man  —  a  man  indeed !  "  she  whispered,  as  though 
communing  with  herself. 

And  the  eyes  so  soft  and  blue  looked  up,  and  then 
down,  down  into  the  soul  of  Hahmed  the  Arab,  so 
deeply  indeed  that  a  shiver  ran  from  her  brain  to  her 


34  DESERT  LOVE 

finger-ends,  causing  her  to  draw  herself  together  sharply 
and  to  turn  and  walk  away. 

So  it  came  about  as  it  was  written  that  she  had 
decided  when  the  brakes  grinded,  and  that  after  re- 
trieving her  employer  for  the  last  time,  and  placing 
her  in  a  dusty  corner  of  the  stifling  carriage,  she 
slipped  away  on  the  excuse  of  finding  her  dressing- 
case,  which  she  did,  taking  it  with  her  into  a  corner  of 
the  deserted  waiting-room  just  as  the  engine  announced 
its  immediate  departure. 

Without  a  qualm  she  watched  "  her  crowd  "  jostle 
and  push  their  way  into  the  small  carriages,  and  the 
train  move  out,  leaving  her  alone  —  alone  in  the  desert 
town,  alone  with  the  dweller  of  that  desert. 

A  wave  of  exultation  rushed  through  her  as  she 
thought  of  this  her  great  adventure,  of  this  her  free- 
dom for  at  least  a  short  while,  and  of  the  unknown 
quantity  she  was  mixing  into  her  portion  of  daily 
bread  which,  up  to  this  moment,  had  consisted  of  the 
plainest,  wholesomest,  most  uninteresting  bun-loaf,  not 
even  resembling  that  extremely  dull  and  unappetising 
cake  named,  I  believe,  Swiss  roll,  which  hides  its  stale- 
ness  under  the  glass  case  of  Life's  shop  window,  ly- 
ing fly-blown  on  the  plate  and  heavily  and  unimagina- 
tively on  the  digestive  powers  of  those  who  consume 
it  for  the  thin  layer  of  jam  to  be  discovered  between 
its  wedgeo  of  sullen  dough.  A  soul-stifling  mess  to 
be  found  in  the  drab  sideboards  of  most  English  house- 
holds along  with  its  sister  made  of  a  pastry  so  flimsy 
that  it  chokes,  filled  with  a  cream  that  is  merely  froth, 
the  whole  hiding  its  cheapness  under  an  application 


DESERT  LOVE  35 

of  highly  coloured  paint  essence,  the  consuming  of 
which  will  prove  as  fatal  as  the  Swiss  roll. 

So  she  raised  her  hands  to  the  grimy  ceiling  of  the 
dirty  waiting-room  and  whispered  to  the  dust,  the 
buzzing  flies,  and  vivid  ray  of  sunlight. 

"  Verily,  and  indeed  I  have  burned  my  boats  behind, 
or  perhaps  I  should  say  my  liner  before  me  1 " 


CHAPTER  VI 

JILL,  very  fair  indeed  to  look  upon,  and  with  seven- 
and-sixpence  in  odd  money  in  her  bag,  stepped  out 
bravely  on  to  the  road,  scorched  by  the  midday  sun, 
with  a  curl  at  the  corner  of  her  mouth,  a  medley  of 
disconnected  thoughts  in  her  madcap  head,  and  a  feel- 
ing of  unromantic  emptiness  somewhere  in  the  vicinity 
of  her  white  leather  waist  belt. 

A  wisp  of  a  boy,  clad  in  very  dirty  garments,  shrilled 
the  equivalent  of  "  Carry  your  bag,  miss,"  in  the 
Egyptian  tongue,  calling  down  the  displeasure  of  Allah 
upon  the  foreign  woman  when  she  shook  her  head, 
and  changed  the  heavy  dressing-case  to  the  other  hand. 

Ismailiah  is  no  place  for  a  beautiful  English  girl  to 
wander  in  unchaperoned,  especially  when  out  of  respect 
to  the  slenderness  of  her  purse  she  gets  off  the  beaten 
track  in  search  of  a  cheap  restaurant. 

Indeed  Jill  was  beginning  to  feel  a  little  uncomfort- 
able at  the  way  the  natives  stared  and  even  turned  to 
look  after  her  as  she  plodded  on,  so  that  it  was  with 
a  feeling  of  relief  that  she  espied  "  Cuisine  Frangaise  " 
written  across  the  window  of  a  fairly  clean-looking 
restaurant  in  a  small  street,  into  which  place  she  turned, 
to  be  confronted  by  a  fat,  oily  individual  hailing  from 
the  Levant,  who  looked  as  though  his  business  was  any- 
thing but  that  of  the  kitchen. 

Unsophisticated  Jill,  however,  saw  nothing  wrong  in 

36 


DESERT  LOVE  37 

the  person  who  bowed,  and  smiled,  and  rubbed  the 
palms  of  his  hands  in  a  rotary  movement;  and  being 
taken  up  in  trying  to  amalgamate  the  scantiness  of 
her  money,  the  prices  on  the  carte,  and  the  enormity 
of  her  hunger,  neither  did  she  notice  the  burning  eyes 
in  the  handsome,  sensual  dark  face  of  a  middle-aged 
native  fixed  upon  her  hungrily  from  behind  a  half- 
open  door,  where  he  had  been  hurriedly  summoned  by 
the  man  who  advertised  his  skill  in  "  la  cuisine  Fran- 


To  pass  away  the  time  Jill  lingered  over  her  meal 
until  she  was  alone  in  the  place  save  for  the  waiter, 
who  was  aching  to  get  away  to  smoke  a  cigarette, 
and  the  native  who  had  noiselessly  entered  and  slipped 
into  a  seat  in  the  far  corner. 

Once  Jill,  inadvertently  looking  straight  into  his 
eyes,  and  hurriedly  looking  away,  had  picked  up  a 
paper  lying  on  the  chair  beside  her;  glanced  at  the 
first  page,  and  dropped  it  like  a  hot  plate,  whilst  a 
wave  of  scorching  red  rushed  over  her  neck  and  face. 

"  Allah  !  "  she  thought,  "  what  an  awful  place,  and 
what  on  earth  am  I  to  do  with  two  shillings  in  my 
pocket,  and  not  a  cinema  handy  !  "  And  feeling  the 
native's  eyes  still  fixed  on  her,  she  beckoned  to  the 
waiter,  paid  her  bill,  and  once  out  in  the  street  turned 
sharply  up  the  first  on  the  right  just  as  the  native 
and  the  Levantine  came  to  the  restaurant  door  in  time 
to  see  the  last  inch  of  her  disappearing  skirt.  And  yet 
through  all  her  haste  and  her  annoyance  the  inner 
membrane  of  Jill's  mind,  that  delicate  fabric  woven  of 
intuition  and  divination,  which  gives  women  the  pull 
on  so  many  occasions,  and  on  certain  courses  get  her 


38  DESERT  LOVE 

past  the  post  lengths  ahead  of  man,  whispered  to  her 
that  it  had  not  failed  her  earlier  in  the  day,  and  that 
if  she  could  but  stick  out  the  next  few  hours  she  would 
find  a  sure  reward  for  her  present  distress. 

But  she  stopped  short  and  clicked  her  teeth  angrily 
when  she  met  the  native  of  the  restaurant  face  to  face 
in  a  narrow  street,  and  turned  and  walked  in  the  oppo- 
site direction  as  quickly  as  her  dignity  would  allow. 

But  after  the  same  thing  had  happened  three  times, 
and  that  it  had  suddenly  struck  her  that  she  was  being 
headed  in  the  direction  of  a  quarter  where  unveiled 
women  peered  from  windows  with  great  eyes  made 
larger  by  the  rims  of  kohl  smeared  on  the  lid,  and 
the  cheeks  rendered  dead  white  with  the  powder  that 
proves  so  strangely  attractive  to  the  eastern  prostitute, 
she  suddenly  made  up  her  mind  to  get  herself  out  of 
the  danger  and  difficulty.  She  was  utterly  lost,  and 
walking  at  a  pace  that  was  almost  a  run,  turned  into 
the  street  she  found  nearest. 

Not  one  open  door  did  she  see ;  at  least,  not  one  that 
was  not  congested  with  women  sitting  smoking  or  eat- 
ing sticky  sweetmeats,  or  drying  their  heads  plastered 
in  the  henna  clay  which  would  eventually  dye  their  hair 
the  red  favoured  of  man. 

She  was  wellnigh  breathless  and  wondering  for  how 
long  she  could  continue  when  the  man  suddenly  ap- 
peared at  the  top  of  the  street  into  which  she  had  just 
turned,  and  seeing  her  salaamed  deeply. 

Back  she  twisted  like  a  hunted  hare  and  raced  up 
the  street  through  which  she  had  just  passed. 

It  was  empty,  but  on  her  left  standing  ajar  was  a 
door  painted  bright  blue. 


CHAPTER  VII 

WITHOUT  pausing  to  think  she  entered,  closing  it 
behind  her  just  as  the  man  relentlessly  pursuing  her 
passed  in  ignorance  on  the  other  side. 

In  the  middle  of  the  courtyard  two  Eastern  women 
in  the  domestic  act  of  disembowelling  a  kid  looked  up 
lazily,  and  one  smiling,  pointed  to  the  upper  storey  of 
the  house,  through  the  small  windows  of  which  came 
the  sound  of  stringed  instruments,  and  seeing  that  the 
stranger  did  not  understand,  explained  her  gesture  in 
broken  French : 

"  A u  premiez  etase  —  voz  amieze  —  les  anglaiseez." 

No  idea  of  any  further  possible  danger  entering  her 
head,  and  at  a  complete  loss  to  understand,  but  thank- 
ful for  her  present  safety,  Jill  crossed  the  court,  slip- 
ping unromantically  on  a  piece  of  the  animal's  entrails 
which  lay  about,  and  entering  a  low  door  mounted  the 
stairs. 

Through  a  curtained  archway  the  distinct  twang  of 
an  American  voice  came  to  her  as  a  message  of  peace, 
so  pushing  back  the  stuff  she  entered  to  find  herself 
confronted  by  ten  pairs  of  eyes  of  different  nationality. 

"  Come  right  in,"  twanged  the  same  voice,  "  guess 
you're  from  the  same  boat !  Cute  of  you  to  find  your 
way  here  all  by  your  lonesome !  " 

The  well-corseted  wife  of  a  Can-King,  flanked  on  one 

side  by  her  thin,  leather-skinned,  neat  daughter,  and 

39 


40  DESERT  LOVE 

on  the  other  by  the  inevitable  Italian  marquis,  whose 
tailor  had  evidently  been  a  sartorial  futurist,  pointed 
to  a  cushion  on  the  nobleman's  off  side,  on  which  per- 
plexed Jill  squatted  in  imitation  of  the  others.  The 
party  consisted  of  the  aforementioned  trio,  two  flash- 
looking  English  women,  who  had  in  tow  a  certain  type 
of  man  who  is  only  to  be  found  on  board  ship,  an  obese 
German,  a  French  widow  whose  weed,  grew  more  from 
utility  than  necessity,  and  a  dapper  little  Frenchman 
who  twinkled  his  over-manicured  fingers  for  the  bene- 
fit of  a  healthy,  jolly  looking  Australian  girl  sitting 
uncomfortably  on  the  adjacent  cushion.  The  party's 
dragoman  proffered  a  cup  of  coffee  and  a  cigarette. 
The  former  was  excellent,  the  latter,  after  one  puff,  Jill 
extinguished  on  the  floor,  for  she  knew  tobacco  when 
she  smoked  it,  and  guessed  at  hasheesh  without  having 
to  look  at  the  slightly  brightened  eyes  of  those  who  sat 
smoking  the  same  brand  around  her. 

Then  she  glanced  curiously  round  the  room.  Long, 
low,  with  four  tawdry  glass  and  gilt  chandeliers  hang- 
ing from  the  not  over-clean  ceiling,  cushions  spreading 
all  over  the  floor  excepting  in  the  middle  where  lay 
an  exquisite  Persian  carpet,  long  mirrors  on  all  sides, 
little  inlaid  tables,  and  at  the  far  end,  built  into  the 
wall  with  steps  leading  up  to  it,  a  bed  behind  gilt  bars, 
the  door  in  which  was  fastened  by  a  gilt  padlock. 

It  seemed  that  their  dragoman  had  brought  them 
to  the  house  so  as  to  add  yet  more  perquisites  to  his 
daily  remuneration  by  regaling  them  with  an  exhibition 
of  Eastern  dancing. 

"  What  kind  of  dancing  ?  "  asked  Jill  with  a  slight 
frown,  as  the  twinkling  music  suddenly  stopped. 


DESERT  LOVE  41 

K  Guess  we  can't  tell  you !  "  replied  the  American 
mother,  whose  corsets  were  not  in  exact  accord  with 
the  cushions  upon  which  she  sat,  breathing  heavily  from 
her  upper  whaleboned  register. 

"Nous  esperons  le  mieux,"  said  the  Frenchman, 
winking  at  the  dragoman. 

And  that  moment  they  were  enlightened. 

The  two  English  women  emitted  each  a  little  screech, 
tho  American  mother  caught  convulsively  at  her  daugh- 
ter, who  coldly  raised  her  long-handled  lorgnettes  the 
mure  fully  to  survey  the  picture  before  her.  The  Aus- 
tralian girl  sat  quiet,  as  did  the  Englishman  who  had 
be^n  there  before,  the  Italian  ejaculated  ''  Per  dio" 
and  the  Frenchman  "  Mon  Dieu,"  as  the  widow,  pull- 
ing one  side  of  her  veil  across  her  face,  hid  her  over- 
crvmson  mouth,  but  in  no  way  impeded  her  view,  whilst 
Jill  looked  round  hastily  for  a  way  of  escape,  but  sud- 
denly remembering  the  certain  peril  in  the  street  de- 
cided, as  she  edged  as  far  as  possible  from  the  marchese, 
t?>  sit  out  the  difficulties  of  the  moment. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

To  natives,  a  dressed  or  undressed  dancer  is  nothing 
more  than  a  plaything,  or  something  to  help  pass  the 
hour;  he  will  look  at  and  criticise  her  with  much  less 
enthusiasm  than  he  would  a  she-camel,  and  remunerate 
her  or  her  owner  according  to  the  measure  of  pleasure 
he  has  found  in  her  posturing. 

But  it  is  difficult,  wellnigh  impossible,  to  describe  the 
feeling  of  the  occidental  women  when  three  orientals 
of  their  own  sex,  without  a  vestige  of  clothing,  suddenly 
one  after  the  other,  like  ducks,  sidled  into  the  room. 

They  were  none  of  them  in  their  first  youth,  and 
the  dragoman,  after  watching  their  movements,  de- 
cided once  and  for  all  to  withdraw  his  patronage  from 
the  house,  and  sat  wondering  how  much  he  dared  try 
to  extract  from  his  patron's  pockets  for  such  an  exhi- 
bition, while  Jill,  who  felt  as  though  she  had  been  sud- 
denly struck  between  the  eyes,  sat  hypnotised  by  the 
undulating  forms  before  her,  until  she  was  overcome 
by  a  frantic  desire  to  bury  her  face  in  a  cushion  and 
to  give  way  to  unrestrained  hysterical  laughter.  This 
same  feeling  has  been  known  to  overcome  one  in  Church 
when  a  hen,  side-tracking  through  the  open  door,  takes 
a  constitutional  up  the  aisle  on  a  Sunday  morning  in 
the  country ;  also  it  has  been  known  to  seize  you  in  its 
grip  at  a  levee,  when  your  predecessor's  shoe-buckles, 

not  having  been  properly  adjusted,  flip  up  and  down 

42 


DESERT  LOVE  43 

like  shutters  as  their  owner,  in  solitary  state,  stalks  up 
the  audience  chamber;  worse  and  stronger  still  is  it 
when  your  revered  bishop  uncle,  of  whom  you  have 
great  expectations,  insists  at  morning  prayers  upon  those 
things  which  have  been  left  undone,  when  before  your 
earthly  eyes  gapes  the  cotton  dress  of  Eliza  the  cook, 
whose  comfortable  dorsal  proportions  have  forbidden 
the  matutinal  union  of  a  couple  or  so  of  buttons  and 
buttonholes. 

Try  as  she  would  she  could  not  overcome  it,  neither 
could  she  remove  her  gaze  from  the  three  females  who, 
poor  things,  were  but  doing  their  best  to  add  to  the  fam- 
ily coffers.  Up  and  down,  and  round  and  round  they 
went,  the  string  band  twanging  an  accompaniment,  un- 
til the  gauze  scarf  of  the  middle  lady  catching  in  the 
hanging  chandelier  put  an  end  to  their  rhythmical 
swayings,  while  like  hens  with  a  suspended  cherry  they 
hopped  in  turn  off  the  ground  in  their  effort  to  dis- 
entangle their  one  and  only  bit  of  covering. 

Everyone  sat  still  until  the  disentanglement  had  taken 
place,  upon  which  event  the  dancers  once  more  ad- 
vanced in  force,  each  selecting  a  special  man  victim, 
until  Jill,  absolutely  helpless  and  afraid  of  raising  na- 
tive wrath  by  allowing  even  a  glimmer  of  a  smile  to 
appear,  buried  her  pretty  head  on  the  marchese's  over- 
padded  shoulder,  which  action  he  of  course  took  for 
a  sign  of  encouragement,  responding  to  it  by  slipping 
his  arm  round  the  girl's  waist,  but  circumspectly  enough 
so  that  it  should  not  be  seen  by  the  Can-King's  rela- 
tions, while  Jill  prayed  for  strength  to  resist  until  the 
end. 

The  end  came  in  a  positive  Catherine-wheel  exhibi- 


44  DESERT  LOVE 

tion  of  posturing,  and  a  deathly  silence  on  the  part  of 
the  audience;  the  men  not  daring  to  make  any  com- 
ment, the  women  not  daring  to  look  at  each  other, 
until  the  widow,  suddenly  seizing  upon  the  situation, 
clapped  her  little  hands  roguishly,  and  avowed  in  a 
babyish  voice  that  "  C'etait  bien  gentil  et  original,  nest 
ce  pas"  which  she  didn't  think  at  all  really. 

Anyway  her  opinion  served  as  a  break,  so  that  on 
the  exit  of  the  dancers  in  single  file,  which  was  ten- 
fold more  trying  to  the  spectators  than  their  entry, 
with  stretching  of  cramped  limbs  and  stereotyped  ut- 
terances such  as  "  how  very  Eastern,"  "  so  unexpected," 
the  entire  party  rose  to  their  feet,  the  dragoman  hold- 
ing a  hurried  whispered  conversation  with  the  men  who 
each,  and  successively,  and  vehemently,  shook  their 
heads,  leaving  the  women  asking  of  themselves  how  on 
earth  they  were  to  continue  existing  relations  with  the 
men  during  the  interminable  weeks  to  Australia. 

Jill,  feeling  almost  faint  from  suppressed  emotion 
and  a  revival  of  hunger,  stood  a  little  on  one  side 
watching  them.  An  Eastern  dancing  house  is  a  strange 
place  in  which  to  make  the  final  decision  of  one's  life, 
but  in  just  such  a  spot  she  made  hers.  She  knew  that 
she  had  only  to  make  up  the  tale  of  a  lost  boat,  and 
something  would  be  done  for  her;  in  fact  she  could 
probably  go  as  lady's  maid  to  the  Americans  on  their 
tour  de  monde,  having  overheard  them  complaining  bit- 
terly of  their  own  French  maid  who  had  not  been  re- 
trieved at  Algiers.  But  her  whole  soul  suddenly  rising 
in  mutiny  against  the  stultifying  civilisation  of  the 
West,  she  finally  made  up  her  mind  to  stay  with  the 
strangers  until  the  hour  came  when  she  could  slip  on*  of 


DESERT  LOVE  45 

the  hotel  where  they  were  staying  the  night,  into  orien- 
tal liberty,  and  glamour,  and  unknown  possibilities. 
So  she  sat  next  the  marchese  at  dinner,  whose  love- 
making  was  on  exactly  the  same  line  as  his  clothes,  and 
having  found  out  from  the  maid  in  the  ladies'  room, 
just  how  to  get  to  the  end  of  the  town  in  which  was 
situated  the  Camel  King's  house,  she  waited  for  a  de- 
sirable opportunity,  and  slipped  out  of  the  hotel  on 
the  pretence  of  looking  at  the  stars,  knowing  that  her 
unwitting  hosts  would  think  she  had  simply  gone  to 
bed. 


CHAPTEK  IX 

JILL'S  memory  being  of  the  kind  which  retains  only 
the  pleasant  word  and  act,  the  disagreeable  episode  of 
the  afternoon  had  completely  evacuated  that  cell  which 
in  one  second  can  raise  us  through  the  bluest  ether  to 
the  heaven  as  understood  by  the  prayer-book,  or  send 
us  diving  to  the  mud  flats  of  the  ocean  bed  to  co-habit 
for  a  time  with  wingless  and  non-temperamental  oddi- 
ties. 

Having  stopped  several  times  to  discover  by  ear  and 
eye  if  she  was  being  followed  from  the  hotel,  and  being 
satisfied  that  the  sight  of  her  dressing-case  had  in  no 
wise  aroused  the  hall  porter's  curiosity,  she  propped 
her  luggage  against  the  base  of  a  palm  tree  growing 
casually  in  the  middle  of  a  small  street  and  proceeded 
to  take  her  bearings. 

"  Somehow  it  seemed  quite  easy  to  find  when  the 
maid  was  explaining,"  she  communed  to  herself  as  she 
dug  a  hatpin  afresh  into  her  hat  as  is  the  way  of 
woman  when  at  a  loss.  "  How  stupid  of  me  to  try  a 
short  cut,  because  she  distinctly  said  I  was  to  stick  to 
the  main  street  until  I  came  to  two  mosques  side  by 
side,  and  then  to  turn  oif  sharply  to  the  right.  Oh! 
well,  I  turned  off  too  soon  and  am  lost  —  and  I  don't 
like  these  little  streets  —  no !  not  one  little  bit,  but  that 
big  red  star  hangs  right  over  the  house  so  I  can  but 
follow  it  —  here  goes !  " 

46 


DESEET  LOVE  47 

She  picked  up  her  case,  and  then  drew  back  quickly 
behind  the  tree  as  a  white-robed  figure  slowly  crossed 
the  street,  turned  up  another  and  disappeared. 

"  Oh !  Moll  and  Jack,  what  on  earth  would  you  think 
if  you  knew  I  was  alone  in  Egypt.  Alone !  but  free ! 
Free !  at  last,  quite,  quite  free !  " 

And  stretching  out  her  arms  on  each  side  and  giving 
herself  a  little  shake,  J  ill  laughed  ever  so  softly  in  pure 
exuberance  of  that  feeling  of  freedom,  which  seems  to 
make  an  air  pocket  all  about  you  and  in  the  middle 
of  which  you  float  contentedly,  oblivious  of  the  winds 
raging  on  the  outside. 

So  glancing  up  at  the  red  star,  and  once  more  pick- 
ing up  her  bag,  she  too  crossed  the  street  and  disap- 
peared up  a  narrower  one,  halting  for  a  moment  at 
the  sight  of  a  man  standing  with  bent  head  in  the 
attitude  of  prayer  and  the  beads  of  Allah  hanging  from 
the  hands  crossed  upon  the  breast. 

Jill's  intuition  was  intense,  and  never  once  in  all  her 
life  had  it  failed  her,  and  though  to  her  all  Eastern  men 
seemed  exactly  alike  in  the  moonlight,  yet  her  inner 
consciousness  began  to  tap  out  a  message  of  warning, 
and  the  bristles  of  her  self-protection  to  rise  at  the 
threatening^  of  danger. 

"  Bother !  "  however,  was  her  only  comment  as,  keep- 
ing the  star  ahead,  she  walked  steadily  onward. 

But  she  made  a  silent,  strenuous,  but  unavailing 
struggle  when  something  white  and  soft  was  slipped 
over  her  head  and  a  hand  placed  firmly  upon  her  mouth, 
as  she  felt  herself  lifted  in  a  pair  of  strong  arms  and 
carried  some  considerable  distance  until  she  heard  the 
click  of  a  key,  the  opening  and  shutting  of  a  door,  and 


48  DESERT  LOVE 

her  captor's  soft  footfall  through  what  seemed  to  be,  a 
deserted  house. 

She  stood  perfectly  still  when  planted  on  her  fetjt, 
and  looked  around  her  when  the  cloth  had  been  re- 
moved from  about  her  head. 

White  was  her  face  indeed,  but  a  little  smile  twisted 
the  corner  of  her  mouth  as  she  noted  the  oriental  lux- 
ury of  the  room  in  which  she  stood. 

Ornate  could  hardly  describe  it  so  offensive  was  it 
in  its  multitudinous  hangings,  mirrors,  lamps,  and 
clutter  of  stools,  tables,  divans,  and  couches,  inlaid  or 
plastered  with  glittering  sequins,  bits  of  glass,  and  col- 
oured imitation  jewels. 

But  scorn  simply  blazed  in  the  great  blue  eyes  as 
she  looked  into  those  of  a  man  standing  in  front  of 
the  one  and  only  door  to  the  whole  apartment. 

"  You  brute !  "  she  said  undiplomatically  and  in 
French  as  he  moved  a  few  steps  nearer  and  salaamed 
deeply.  "  Why,  you're  the  man  who  followed  me  from 
the  restaurant  to-day!  What  do  you  want?  Back- 
sheesh?  I  haven't  any  so  you  had  better  let  me  go 
at  once  unless  you  want  the  police  after  you!  You 
can't  treat  English  women  in  this  off-hand  way  with 
impunity,  I  can  assure  you.  Open  the  door  immedi- 
ately if  you  please !  " 

Poor  little  Jill,  who  by  involuntarily  harking  back 
to  the  insular  belief  that  the  veriest  heathen  will  quake 
in  unison  with  the  British  culprit  at  the  mere  threat  of 
British  law,  showed  the  absolute  yarborough  she  held 
in  this  game,  the  stakes  of  which  she  guessed  were 
something  more  precious  than  life  itself,  and  in  which 
she  held  not  a  single  winning  card. 


DESERT  LOVE  49 

"  Let  not  Madame  cause  herself  worry,"  answered 
the  oriental  also  in  French,  as  he  approached  nearer 
still,  his  eyes  ablaze  with  passion  of  sorts  as  he  looked 
the  girl  up  and  down  from  head  to  foot.  "  The  po- 
lice —  the  law  —  you  are  in  Egypt,  Madame,  or  I 
should  say  Mademoiselle  I  think.  Money!  when  a 
man  holds  heaven  itself  within  his  grasp,  does  he  open 
his  hand  to  grasp  a  passing  cloud  ?  " 

"  I  should  advise  you  to  let  me  go  at  once,"  repeated 
Jill,  "  if  you  don't  want  my  friends  to  raise  trouble !  " 

But  her  bluff  was  of  no  avail  as  she  was  soon  aware 
when  once  more  the  man  salaamed  with  a  world  of 
mockery  in  the  action. 

"  But  Mademoiselle  has  but  now  run  away  from  her 
friends !  No  ?  —  she  has  but  little  —  oh !  very  little 
money !  —  yes  ?  —  and  nowhere  to  go  —  it  is  for  that 
that  I  have  thrown  my  protection  around  her !  " 

Jill  thought  hard  for  a  moment,  wondering  how 
much  the  man  knew  of  her  escapade. 

"  How  do  you  know  ?  Who  told  you  I  had  no 
money  ?  I  have  a  friend  as  it  happens !  " 

"  Mademoiselle  has  no  friend  but  me,"  interrupted 
the  man ;  "  she  left  them  at  the  hotel  when  she  went 
to  take  a  walk." 

And  Jill  retreated  step  by  step  before  him  as  he 
came  closer  still,  his  voice  sinking  to  a  whisper,  his 
hand  within  an  inch  of  her  wrist. 

"  I  will  not  harm  you  because  you  are  oh,  very 
beautiful !  You  are  a  feast  of  loveliness  and  I  —  I  am 
hungry !  " 

But  still  the  little  smile  twisted  the  corner  of  Jill's 
red  mouth  as  she  looked  unflinchingly  into  the  brown 


50  DESERT  LOVE 

eyes  in  the  depths  of  which  smouldered  a  something 
which  was  not  good  to  look  upon. 

"  I  suppose  you  have  stolen  my  dressing-case  too," 
was  her  next,  somewhat  irrelevant  remark.  "  Men  of 
your  type  I  dare  say  can  find  a  use  for  everything  from 
women  to  hair-pins.  You  hlack  dog,  who  are  you  ?  " 

Red  murder  flared  in  the  room  for  one  moment  and 
then  died  down,  leaving  a  little  smoke  cloud  of  uncer- 
tainty in  the  man's  mind. 

He  was  used  —  oh,  very  used  to  the  breaking  in  of 
women,  for  was  not  his  name  notorious  in  Northern 
Egypt,  and  were  there  not  whispers  of  many  young 
and  beautiful  who  had  mysteriously  disappeared. 

Were  not  men  and  women  in  his  pay  in  every  corner 
of  the  big  cities  posing  as  honest  individuals  ?  And 
was  he  not  in  direct  communication  with  them  ?  And 
had  he  not  a  coterie  of  jackal  friends  who  hunted  with 
him,  though  of  a  truth  not  half  so  successfully  or  ar- 
tistically as  he? 

And  yet  this  slip  of  a  girl,  this  pale  white  blossom, 
held  him  at  bay,  more  by  her  seeming  indifference  to 
the  fate  before  her  than  by  any  effort  of  will  she  made 
to  combat  the  danger. 

Blase  to  tears  of  the  exquisite  women  of  his  own 
country  with  their  lustrous  brown  eyes,  marvellous 
languorous  figures,  and  well-trained,  inherited  ideas  on 
love,  the  man  was  violently  attracted  by  the  whiteness 
of  this  girl  allied  to  her  indifferent  manner  and  an 
intense  virility  which  seemed  to  envelop  her  from  head 
to  foot. 

True,  there  are  natives  of  a  white  and  surpassing 
beauty,  but  which  whiteness  when  compared  to  the 


DESERT  LOVE  51 

genuine  colouring  of  a  very  fair  Englishwoman  has 
the  same  effect  on  the  purchaser  or  temporary  owner 
as  would  a  white  sapphire  bought  in  mistake  for  a  dia- 
mond. 

Very,  very  beautiful,  but  somehow  giving  an  impres- 
sion of  masquerade. 

"  Your  so  valuable  dressing-case  is  behind  those  cush- 
ions, Mademoiselle,  but  you  shall  have  things  of  gold 
to  adorn  your  apartment,  at  least  for  a  time.  I  tire 
easily  even  of  the  most  perfect  fruit,  but  I  have  friends, 
oh,  many  who  are  not  so  easily  wearied !  " 

The  man  paused  a  moment  as  though  awaiting  some 
outburst,  but  none  forthcoming  continued  the  enlighten- 
ing discourse. 

"  Who  am  I  ?  —  that  will  you  know  shortly.  A 
merry  chase  you  gave  me  this  afternoon,  and  even 
baffled  me  for  a  time,  but  surely  I  have  not  enjoyed 
an  hour  so  much  for  many  a  day.  You  are  unique, 
therefore  not  to  be  run  to  earth  by  a  common  black 
dog,  otherwise  I  could  have  secured  you  earlier  in  the 
day  and  by  now " 

The  man's  lips,  of  an  almost  negroid  fullness,  curved 
in  a  smile,  the  abomination  of  which  sent  a  little  shud- 
der from  Jill's  high  held  head  to  her  steady  little  feet. 

"  But  I  have  you  now,  beautiful  maiden,  and  if  you 
will  not  bend  to  rny  will,  I  will  break  you  to  it,  even  if 
I  spoil  your  satin  skin  and  the  soles  of  your  small  feet 
by  the  lash  of  the  whip !  " 

"  So !  "  said  J  ill  after  an  interval  in  which  the  at- 
mosphere, charged  with  the  electricity  of  anger,  lust, 
scorn,  and  all  the  kindred  sisters  of  evilness,  resembled 
what  might  be  the  result  of  a  cross  between  a  spitting 


52  DESEKT  LOVE 

eat  and  a  wireless  installation.  "  So !  Am  I  to  under- 
stand that  you  have  vulgarly  kidnapped  me  —  and  are 
holding  me  not  for  ransom,  but  for  your  evil  pleasures 
and  those  of  your  friends  ?  " 

"  Quite  so,  Mademoiselle !  Your  words  are  as  clear 
as  the  stream  running  through  a  certain  oasis  which 
long  I  coveted,  but  which  fell  to  my  greatest  enemy 
because  he  had  a  few  more  piastres  than  I  —  and  maybe 
a  little  more  diplomacy  —  a  man  who  would  kill  me  if 
he  could  but  find  the  excuse,  the  moral  breeder  of 
camels,  the  fanatic  son  of  Solomon,  Hahmed  the  great, 
Hahmed  the  most  noble  —  pah  !  " 

For  one  brief  second  Jill's  eyes  scanned  the  sensual 
face  in  front,  but  seeing  nothing  more  subtle  than  an 
intense  hatred  therein  for  the  absent  man,  shrugged 
her  shoulders  and  then  flung  up  her  hand  sharply  as 
the  man's  hand  suddenly  fastened  on  her  wrist. 

^Let  go  my  hand  at  once,"  she  said  as  indifferently 
as  though  she  were  asking  for  a  glass  of  water,  but 
she  wrenched  herself  free  and  fled  behind  a  divan  al- 
most hidden  in  a  bower  of  growing  tropical  plants 
as  the  man  let  go  at  her  command  to  suddenly  grip 
her  about  the  waist. 

"  I  shall  scream  the  place  down,  and  bite,  and  kick, 
and  scratch,  if  you  touch  me  again." 

For  one  moment  they  looked  at  each  other  across 
the  pile  of  silken  cushions,  the  dark  shining  leaves  of 
the  plants  throwing  up  the  girl's  wonderful  colouring, 
the  white  petals  of  a  flower  falling  like  snow  about  her 
as  she  stood  waiting  for  the  next  move  in  the  exceed- 
ingly dangerous  game  in  which  she  was  taking  part. 

The  silence  was  absolutely  deathly  until  the  oriental 


DESERT  LOVE  53 

broke  it,  smiling  the  while  as  he  might  on  a  rebellious 
child. 

"  If  you  make  a  noise  you  will  bring  women  and 
servants,  and  perhaps  my  friends,  packing  to  the  door 
from  the  most  distant  corners  of  the  house.  They  do 
not  know  that  you  are  here  as  I  brought  you  in  by  a 
secret  door  and  private  way,  also  no  one  is  allowed 
to  place  foot  in  my  own  quarter  of  the  house  without 
my  permission,  with  the  exception  of  the  guardian  of 
the  big  door  itself;  but  their  curiosity  would  outweigh 
their  prudence  if  they  heard  cries,  for  their  delight  is 
unbounded  when  trouble  reigns  between  their  friend 
or  master  and  a  woman.  If  you  bite  and  kick  and 
scratch  I  shall  have  you  overpowered  and  bound  to 
your  great  sorrow,  and  their  greater  delight.  It  has 
been  written  that  you  shall  be  one  of  those  whom  I 
honour  with  my  favour,  why  then  try  to  fight  against 
that  which  is  ordained  ?  " 

Jill  answered  never  a  word,  contenting  herself  with 
keeping  a  watch  on  the  man's  movements,  though  to 
the  very  innermost  part  of  her  she  longed  to  fling 
herself  upon  him  to  mutilate  or  to  kill. 

"  We  will  have  coffee,  O !  very  lovely  daughter  of 
the  North,  and  consider  this  little  matter  settled  even 
before  we  were  born.  Does  my  suggestion  find  favour 
in  those  eyes  which  are  as  the  sky  at  night  ?  " 

But  for  all  answer  Jill  moved  round  the  couch  and 
sat  herself  down  upon  the  satin  cushions,  opened  her 
hand-bag,  and  finding  her  cigarette  case  lit  a  cigarette. 

"  By  Allah !  but  you  are  wonderful,  you  English  girl. 
I  do  not  understand  you.  I  have  had  women  here 
•creaming,  fighting,  fainting,  begging  for  mercy  upon 


54  DESERT  LOVE 

their  kneee.  Pah!  they  sickened  me,  but  you  —  well! 
I  will  go  and  order  the  coffee,  not  wishing  to  bring  a 
slave  into  your  presence,  and  give  orders  also,  Made- 
moiselle, that  no  matter  what  noise  may  be  heard  I 
must  on  no  account  be  disturbed !  And  death  by  knife, 
or  whip,  or  water,  is  the  ordinary  punishment  for  those 
who  disobey !  " 

Jill  blew  a  smoke  ring  through  another  and  smiled. 

"  It's  no  good  ordering  coffee  because  I  shan't  drink 
it!" 

"  You  will  drink  it,"  was  the  sharp  reply. 

"  Will  you  take  a  bet  ?  "  was  the  ready  answer. 

For  a  moment  the  man  who  was  becoming  more  and 
more  amazed  stared  in  silence  and  then  laughed  softly 
as  the  absurdity  of  the  situation  struck  him. 

"  Certainly  I  will,  for  do  not  we  orientals  love  a 
seeming  hazard  ?  So  although  I  take  an  unfair  ad- 
vantage of  you  I  will  lay  this  emerald  ring  engraven 
with  my  name  against  one  kiss  from  your  red  mouth 
that  within  the  half  of  one  hour  you  will  have  drunk 
the  coffee." 

And  taking  the  ring  from  his  finger  as  he  spoke  he 
laid  it  upon  a  small  table  beside  JilL 


CHAPTER  X 

SHE  was  sitting  with  her  hands  crossed  on  her  lap 
when  he  returned,  carrying  a  small  tray  bearing  two 
cups  filled  with  coffee. 

"  You  have  been  a  very  long  time,"  she  remarked 
casually. 

"  An  especially  delicious  coffee  had  to  be  prepared 
for  Mademoiselle,  and  strict  orders  given  that  we  were 
not  to  be  disturbed  until  I  give  the  signal.  Also  that 
this  quarter  of  the  house,  which  is  mine,  is  to  be  cleared 
absolutely  of  all  inhabitants.  Therefore  shall  we  be 
at  peace  even  until  this  time  to-morrow  if  I  make  no 
sign.  Also  to  emphasise  my  orders,  I  ordered  that  a 
certain  person  be  bastinadoed.  She  sickens  me  with 
her  outpourings  of  love,  and  was  loitering  about  this 
door  seeking  doubtlessly  to  enter.  When  she  does  she 
will  most  certainly  not  enter  upon  her  feet  if  my  orders 
have  been  strictly  carried  out." 

And  even  as  he  spoke  a  distant  piercing  scream, 
followed  by  another,  and  yet  another,  rent  the  air, 
causing  Jill's  mouth  to  shut  like  a  steel  trap,  and  her 
eyes  to  blaze  like  fires. 

"  That  is  what  happens  when  I  am  disobeyed,  Made- 
moiselle !  Here  is  your  coffee,  drink  it!  " 

The  tone  was  brutal,  and  Jill  meekly  put  out  her 
hand  to  take  the  little  porcelain  and  silver  trifle  the 

man  was  bringing  to  her,  laying  it  beside  the  emerald 

55 


56  DESERT  LOVE 

ring  upon  the  table  as  he  turned  to  fetch  his  own  cup. 

"Drop  that!" 

Jill  had  not  raised  her  voice,  but  a  certain  unmis- 
takable quality  in  it  caused  the  man  to  wheel  sharply. 

He  stared  in  blank  amazement  for  a  fleeting  second, 
and  then,  still  carefully  holding  the  cup,  backed  hastily 
and  sideways  out  of  the  direct  range  of  a  very  small 
but  very  useful-looking  revolver  in  Jill's  right  hand. 

There  was  a  curious  lifelessnesa  in  the  whole  situa- 
tion, and  a  quite  distressing  lack  of  drama  until  the 
oriental  smiled  contemptuously. 

"  Do  not  think  to  frighten  me  with  that  plaything, 
because  I  am  totally  unafraid.  We  hear  of  the  Eng- 
lishwomen who  shoot  and  ride  like  men,  but  —  well ! 
we  hear  so  many  tales  of  Europe.  Put  up  your  little 
toy,  Mademoiselle,  and  remember  in  future  that  no 
one  with  any  respect  for  his  life  ever  gives  me  an 
order!" 

With  an  indifference  that  was  not  in  the  least  as- 
sumed, he  raised  the  cup  he  was  still  holding. 

There  was  a  crashing  report  in  the  luxurious  room, 
a  tinkling  of  broken  china,  and  a  wisp  of  smoke  be- 
tween a  smiling  girl  and  a  very  surprised  man. 

"  Don't  be  a  fool,  and  do  as  you're  told  if  you  have 
any  respect  for  your  life,"  said  Jill  tersely,  as  she 
moved  her  hand  slightly  so  that  her  aim  was  on  a 
dead  level  with  a  big  button  ornamenting  an  inch  or 
so  of  satin  on  the  middle  left  of  the  man's  undervest. 

He  stood  like  an  image  carved  out  of  consternation, 
whilst  streaks  of  rage  seemed  to  flash  across  his  livid 
face.  Be  it  confessed,  he  was  not  in  the  least  afraid, 
but  no  word  in  the  Egyptian  or  any  other  tongue  could 


DESERT  LOVE  57 

be  found  to  express  the  depths  of  humiliation  in  whicfr 
he  stood  neck  deep. 

"  Now,  drink  this  coffee !  "  said  Jill  pleasantly,  point* 
ing  with  her  left  hand  to  the  cup  she  had  placed  on  the 
little  table. 

"Never!" 

Jill  smiled  icily. 

"  I  thought  as  much.  You  scoundrel !  So  it  is 
drugged,  and  I,  having  drunk  it,  would  have  lain  un- 
conscious at  your  mercy.  God!  to  think  that  such 
brutes  as  you  are  allowed  to  live." 

The  man  was  watching  the  girl's  every  movement, 
ready  to  spring  like  a  cat  from  the  area  steps  upon  the 
unsuspecting  sparrow  in  the  road,  but  neither  her  eyes 
nor  her  hand  moved  as  she  continued  speaking  very 
gently. 

"  Listen !  I  should  have  killed  you  myself  to-night, 
feeling  myself  justified,  so  that  other  wretched  girls 
should  escape  the  fate  you  had  prepared  for  me  —  you, 
lower  than  the  beasts  of  the  field;  but  I  am  not  going 
to  do  it,  as  happily  I  know  of  one  more  powerful  than 
I  who  will  enjoy  it  thoroughly.  Think  of  what  I  say 
when  you  see  his  messenger  with  your  ring  upon  his 
finger,  to-morrow  or  next  month  or  next  year  perhaps 
—  and  when  your  time  comes,  watch  the  procession  of 
betrayed  and  tortured  girls  as  they  pass  before  you  to 
catch  your  soul  in  their  slim  hands  as  it  leaves  your 
body.  Now !  drink  that  coffee !  " 

But  the  man  stood  stock  still,  and  Jill  frowned,  for 
she  was  not  a  paragon  of  patience  at  any  time,  and  the 
obstinacy  of  the  man  fretted  her  already  jagged  nerves. 

"  Very  well,"  she  said,  "  I  give  you  one  more  chance. 


58  DESERT  LOVE 

If  you  refuse  again  I  shall  put  a  bullet  straight  through 
your  head  just  between  the  eyebrows,  as  I  shall  now 
put  one  through  that  brooch  kind  of  thing  in  your 
turban." 

There  was  another  deafening  report,  and  the  turban 
flew  from  the  oriental's  head  just  as  a  paper-bag  will 
fly  before  a  March  wind. 

"  Go  and  pick  that  turban  up  and  put  it  on  your 
head.  Hurry  now,  or  we  shall  have  the  police  or  some- 
one coming  to  inquire  about  the  shooting  gallery." 

The  eyes  of  the  boa-constrictor  in  the  Zoo  were  gems 
of  humanity  in  comparison  with  those  of  the  negroid- 
Egyptian's  as  he  turned  to  obey,  and  then  stopped 
mulishly  until  a  third  little  reminder  chipped  splinters 
from  the  marble  at  his  heel,  whereupon  he  stooped  and 
recovered  his  headgear,  minus  the  brooch,  but  plus  a 
neat  little  hole  fore  and  aft. 

"  Now  come  and  drink  the  coffee !  It  won't  be  very- 
nice  as  it  is  almost  cold.  And  remember  in  future  if 
you  are  allowed  to  live,  which  I  very  much  doubt,  that 
such  supreme  indifference  as  mine  could  only  possibly 
be  the  outcome  of  an  absolute  sense  of  perfect  security." 

Jill  patted  the  silly-looking  little  ivory  and  silver 
thing  she  held. 

"  You  mongrel !  "  she  continued  sweetly,  "  I  was 
simply  playing  with  you  until  the  right  moment  —  the 
coffee  moment  which  I  knew  must  happen  —  should 
arrive  in  which  to  give  you  a  lesson.  Why!  when  I 
saw  your  eyes  in  the  restaurant  I  took  my  little  friend 
from  my  pocket  and  made  sure  he  was  in  order.  I 
may  look  a  fool,  and  I  may  act  in  a  manner  still  more 
foolish,  but  I  am  not  exactly  what  you  would  call  a 


DESERT  LOVE  69 

born  fool !  Now  drink  that,  I  am  late  already !  And 
don't  spill  a  single  drop  or  I'll  shoot  you  on  the 
spot!" 

There  was  nothing  for  it  hut  to  obey,  though  the 
brute  took  the  only  revenge  he  could  in  pouring  out 
a  torrent  of  language  beyond  description,  until  Jill 
suddenly  rose  and  levelled  her  revolver  at  his  head, 
which  seemed  to  send  the  sickly  contents  post-haste 
down  his  throat,  after  which  Jill  ordered  him  to  stretch 
himself  comfortably  upon  the  flower-screened  divan. 

He  did  so  smiling  stupidly,  the  drug  having  begun 
to  take  effect;  and  the  big  eyes  closed  and  opened  and 
closed  again,  and  the  mouth  relaxed  as  a  gentle  snore 
told  Jill  that  as  far  as  the  present  danger  was  concerned 
she  was  safe. 

She  stood  for  a  second  looking  idly  down  upon  one 
of  the  world's  greatest  criminals,  and  then  at  the 
thought  of  the  dangers  which  might  still  be  awaiting 
her  on  the  other  side  of  the  door,  unloaded  her  re- 
volver and  slipped  a  fully  loaded  clip  into  her  little 
friend. 

Then  picking  up  the  emerald  ring  from  the  table, 
and  her  dressing-case  from  behind  the  cushions,  she 
crept  gently  across  the  room,  and  gently  —  oh !  so  very 
gently,  opened  the  door  which  yielded  noiselessly  to 
her  touch,  and  stepped  into  a  deserted  hall  only  to 
recoil  violently  from  something  at  her  feet. 

Across  the  threshold  lay  a  girl. 

The  agonised  eyes  in  the  beautiful  dark  face  gazed 
up  in  terror  at  Jill,  whilst  a  little  hand  searched  weakly 
for  a  jewelled  plaything  of  a  dagger  at  her  waist. 

"  Oh !     Poverina !  "  said  Jill,  as  she  knelt  to  raise 


60  DESERT  LOVE 

the  little  head,  and  then  stared  in  horror  at  the  girl's 
shoulders  and  the  hem  of  her  satin  trousers. 

Some  expert  hand  had  flicked  the  delicate  flesh  off 
the  back  in  a  criss-cross  pattern;  what  was  left  of  the 
feet  lay  in  a  pool  of  blood,  the  deep  red  of  which 
stretched  across  the  hall  far  into  the  distance,  showing 
the  path  along  which  the  child,  left  by  her  torturers 
for  dead,  had  dragged  herself. 

"  Poor  little,  little  thing !  "  whispered  Jill,  as  she 
made  to  raise  the  body  in  her  arms.  But  the  dusky 
head  shook  feebly,  and  a  dainty  henna-tipped  finger 
pointed  to  a  window  across  the  hall,  and  Jill,  feeling 
herself  pushed  away  ever  so  slightly,  rose  as  three  words 
were  whispered  over  and  over  again: 

"  Vite  —  allez  —  mort  —  vite  —  allez  —  mort!  " 

And  understanding  that  there  was  nothing  more  to 
be  done  she  bent  and  kissed  the  child  upon  the  cheek 
and  turned  away,  looking  back  as  she  opened  the  win- 
dow which  gave  on  to  a  balcony  about  ten  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  deserted  street,  and  even  as  she  looked, 
saw  the  door  of  the  room  she  had  just  left  being  pushed 
back  inch  by  inch  as  the  dying  girl,  strengthened  by 
love  and  agony,  dragged  herself  slowly  into  the  room 
in  which  lay  the  man  she  worshipped  asleep. 


CHAPTER  XI 

TEN  o'clock !  —  half-past !  —  eleven ! 

The  usual  noises  of  a  night  in  an  Egyptian  town 
were  at  their  height. 

The  distant  and  never-ceasing  shuffling  of  slippered 
or  naked  feet  on  stone,  or  sand,  made  a  dull  accom- 
paniment to  the  sharper  notes  of  men's  voices  crying 
their  wares  of  sticky  sweetmeat  or  fruit,  and  the  bark- 
ing and  growling  of  innumerable  dogs. 

Muffled  ejaculations  could  be  heard,  little  gurgles  of 
laughter,  which  in  Egypt,  thanks  be  to  Allah,  do  not 
degenerate  into  giggles,  the  swish  of  a  whip  in  the 
shadow,  followed  by  a  woman's  cry,  and  through  all, 
above  all,  unfinished  catches  of  music. 

All  kinds  of  humans,  including  tourists,  writers,  Eu- 
ropean officials  and  desert  dilettanti,  have  affixed  every 
kind  of  adjective  to  Egypt's  music. 

Ethereal,  melancholy,  wailing,  plaintive,  nebulous, 
and  pathetic  are  but  a  few.  Why  —  why  try  to  tie  a 
label  to  something  which  slips  from  the  fingers  even  as 
they  close  about  it?  Why  try  to  describe  that  which 
cannot  be  described  ?  There  is,  or  was,  a  certain  line 
which  in  the  heat  of  an  Egyptian  noon,  or  the  stillness 
of  an  Egyptian  night,  when  the  first  notes  of  a  human 
voice,  or  stringed  instrument,  or  rudely  cut  pipe-reed 
reach  the  ears,  would  creep  out  of  some  memory  cell. 

One  loved  the  vagueness  of  those  words : 

"Out  of  the  nowhere,  into  here!  " 
61 


62  DESERT  LOVE 

Loved  the  infinite  space  they  opened  up  with  their 
aloofness  and  indefiniteness,  until,  alas !  they  took  con- 
crete shape  when  chosen  as  title  to  the  picture  of  a 
robust,  Royal  Academy,  Fed-on-Virol  looking  babe, 
which  doubtless,  when  trying  to  grab  some  passing 
Olympian  butterfly,  fell  off  the  lap  of  the  Gods  into  a 
sitting  position  upon  Mother  Earth. 

Also,  one  thinks  of  that  mist  wraith  which  on  a 
cloudless  day  stretched  across  some  mountain's  breast, 
lies  lightly  upon  the  air,  with  diaphanous  ends  coming 
out  of  and  going  into  nothingness;  for  in  just  such 
manner  does  the  music  fall  across  an  Egyptian  day  or 
night 

These  catches  of  music  have  no  end,  and  no  begin- 
ning ;  they  rise,  linger  a  moment,  and  are  gone,  leaving 
behind  them  an  indescribable  loneliness  of  soul,  and  a 
longing  to  stretch  one's  hand  back  down  the  centuries 
to  pluck  their  meaning  from  the  past. 

Under  the  sand,  the  granite,  the  marble,  buried  deep 
in  the  pyramids  or  merely  covered  by  the  earth  of 
shallow  graves,  there  must  surely  be  many  instruments 
of  music  wrought  in  gold  or  silver,  studded  in  jewels, 
or  cut  out  of  humble  wood;  many  strings  still  un- 
broken, and  near  them  many  whitened  bones  of  dusky 
hands  which,  for  all  we  know,  at  odd  moments  of  day 
or  night  set  those  strings  a-thrumming,  or  lift  the  reed 
pipes  to  ghostly  lips. 

Who  knows  but  that  the  British  Museum  at  night, 
rid  at  last  of  those  who  gape  at  Egypt's  dishonoured 
dead,  may  not  be  filled  with  snatches  of  music  from 
throat  or  hand  of  those  unfortunates,  priest,  priestess, 
fair  woman  and  honoured  man,  dug  out  and  laid  upon 


DESERT  LOVE  63 

a  slab  of  grass  for  the  education  of  the  revellers  of  a 
wet  Bank  Holiday,  or  those  others  from  Northern 
climes,  who  bid  their  snuffling,  sticky  progeny  to  "  coom 
oop,  lad,  an'  look  at  t'  stuffed  un !  " 

And  on  this  night  of  which  I  write,  music  was  caught 
up,  and  carried  hither  and  hither  upon  the  breeze 
which  clittered  the  leaves  of  the  palms,  and  softly 
moved  the  flowing  robes  of  Hahmed  the  Arab,  who, 
perfectly  motionless,  stood  in  the  ink-black  shadow  cast 
by  the  bougainvillaea,  which  trailed  its  purple  masses 
over  the  walls  of  the  house,  shining  faintly  pink  under 
the  silver  moon. 

At  the  man's  feet  lay  three  camels,  superb  beasts. 
One  red  brown  and  one-humped,  packed  with  a  seem- 
ingly huge  load  which  in  reality  it  hardly  felt,  and  two 
Bactrian  or  two-humped,  pacing  dromedaries  of  Dhalul, 
one  of  deepest  black  and  therefore  most  rare,  with 
black  saddle  cloth  embroidered  in  silver,  the  third  of  a 
light  golden  colour,  decked  out  in  cloth  of  softest  silk 
patterned  with  glistening  jewels,  and  shimmering  crys- 
tal specks,  cushions  padding  the  saddle-seat,  to  which 
hung  stirrups  of  silver. 

About  this  beast's  neck,  outstretched  upon  the  sand, 
lay  a  garland  of  flowers,  upon  the  ground  by  its  side 
lay  «K  Eftsieirs  rag  of  purple  shade,  covered  inches 
deep  in  flowers  of  every  kind. 

There  was  no  grumbling  or  snarling,  they  knew  their 
master  and  lay  still,  until,  with  a  slight  grunt,  one 
raised  its  head  and  looked  towards  the  East,  as  the  man 
with  a  muttered  "  Allah  "  slowly  moved  towards  the 
gate. 

Putting  his  hands  to  his  lips  and  forehead  and  mur- 


64  DESERT  LOVE 

inuring,  "  Peace  be  upon  you !  "  he  took  Jill's  dressing- 
case  from  her. 

•  •••»•• 

"  I'm  sorry  to  be  so  late,"  she  said  in  a  voice  devoid 
of  anything  in  the  way  of  tone  or  inflection,  "  and  I 
had  to  bring  my  dressing-case,  it  would  be  so  tiresome 
'to  be  stranded  in  the  desert  with  no  looking-glass  or 
xace  cream,  wouldn't  it  ?  " 

"  It  would  be  terrible !  "  was  the  answer,  as  though 
a  dearth  in  dates  was  in  discussion. 

And  then  Jill  sat  down  upon  a  convenient  block  of 
marble,  and  searching  in  her  cheap  bag  for  one  of 
those  Russian  cigarette  cases  of  wood,  which  had  the 
advantage  of  being  inexpensive  and  distinctive  com- 
pared to  those  of  gold,  silver,  or  silver  gilt,  which 
jingle  so  irritatingly  against  the  universal  gold,  silver, 
or  silver  gilt  bag,  took  out  a  cigarette,  lit  it,  and  began 
to  make  conversation. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  describe  the  girl's  frame  of  mind 
at  this  moment  when  she  stood  upon  the  verge  of  great 
happenings,  or  in  fact  of  any  moment  when  danger, 
possible  or  certain,  confronted  her. 

She  was  perfectly  calm,  in  fact  a  little  dull,  with  a 
heart  which  physically  neither  slowed  nor  hastened. 

Yet  it  was  not  the  fearlessness  of  blissful  ignorance, 
or  the  aggravating  recklessness  of  the  foolhardy. 

Three  times  she  had  been  in  actual  danger  of  death : 
once  when  her  horse  bolted,  making  straight  for  the 
cliffs  a  short  way  ahead;  another  time  when  the  reced- 
ing tide  had  caught  her,  pulling  her  slowly  out  to  sea, 
and  never  a  boat  in  sight;  and  again  when  taking  a 
pre-breakfast  stroll  on  the  Col  di  Tenda,  she  had  en- 


DESERT  LOVE  65 

countered  a  fugitive  of  the  law  desperately  making  for 
the  frontier,  who,  half  crazed  with  fear,  sleeplessness, 
and  hunger,  literally  at  the  point  of  an  exceedingly 
sharp  knife  had  demanded  money,  or  bracelet,  in  fact 
anything  which  could  be  transformed  into  a  mattress, 
and  coffee,  polenta,  cigarette  or  succulent  frittata. 

After  each  of  the  preceding  incidents  she  had  tried 
to  analyse  her  utter  want  of  feeling,  her  inability  to 
recognise  danger,  her  almost  placid  confidence  in  an 
ultimate  happy  ending. 

"  It  doesn't  seem  to  be  me,  Dads,"  she  had  once  ex- 
plained, or  tried  to  explain,  to  her  father,  who,  in  the 
depths  of  an  armchair  and  the  Sporting  News,  had  no 
more  idea  of  what  she  was  talking  about  than  the  man 
in  the  moon.  "  I  seem  to  be  standing  outside  myself 
looking  at  myself.  A  sort  of  something  seems  to  come 
right  down,  shutting  the  danger  right  away  from  me. 
i  know  I'm  in  it  and  have  to  get  out  of  it,  but  though 
I  pulled  Arabia  for  all  I  knew,  and  swam  for  all  I 
was  worth  to  reach  Rock  Point,  and  bluffed  that  poor 
devil  out  of  taking  Mumsie's  bracelet,  I  kind  of  did  it 
mechanically,  not  with  any  intention  of  putting  things 
right,  for  I  knew  I  was  not  going  to  die  that  time, 
because  I'm  sure  that  I  shall  know  when  I've  got  to 
die  .  .  .  understand,  Dads  ?  y> 

To  which  Dads  had  replied : 

"  Quite  so,  my  dear,  quite  so !  Personally  I  don't 
see  how  it  could  be  otherwise.  I  agree  with  every  word 
you  say !  "  patting  his  red  setter's  head,  which  in  the 
firelight  he  fondly  believed  to  be  his  daughter's. 


CHAPTER  XII 

AND  so  it  was  now  as  she  sat  under  the  African  moon, 
whilst  little  rings  and  puffs  of  smoke  helped  to  irritate 
the  insects  ensconced  in  the  leaves  of  the  creeper.  She 
seemed  to  be  standing  on  the  other  side  of  a  wall, 
watching  the  outcome  of  the  tossing  of  a  silver  coin. 

"  I've  had  a  perfectly  awful  day,"  she  announced 
with  a  ripple  of  genuine  amusement  in  her  voice  as 
she  proceeded  quite  unconcernedly  to  recount  the  do- 
ings of  the  last  few  hours. 

"  So  naturally  I  was  followed  from  the  restaurant," 
she  went  on  after  a  moment's  pause,  "  and  my  bag 
was  so  heavy,  and  I  was  absolutely  lost,  and  only  just 
managed  to  give  the  man  the  slip  by  hiding  behind  a 
half-open  door,  painted  bright  blue  of  all  colours." 

"  Allah !  "  murmered  Hahmed.  "  An  English  girl 
hiding  in  a  house  with  a  blue  door !  " 

"  But,"  she  went  on,  having  for  some  unknown  rea- 
son omitted  the  dance  episode  from  her  narrative,  "  that 
wasn't  the  worst  part " —  and  continued,  quite  uncon- 
cernedly, to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the  night's  hap- 
penings. Whilst  she  was  speaking  the  Arab  moved 
nearer  until  he  stood  over  her ;  there  was  neither  shadow 
nor  frown  upon  the  fine  face,  or  movement  of  lip  or 
hand,  but  the  air  seemed  to  throb  with  the  intensity  of 
the  white-hot  rage  within  him. 

"  By  Allah  1 "  he  said  quite  gently,  as  he  took  thd 

66 


DESERT  LOVE  67 

emerald  ring  Jill  held  out.  "  I  do  not  need  this,  for 
behold  for  many  years  I  have  known  of  the  doings 
of  this  thing  of  whom  you  speak.  And  yet  so  great 
has  been  his  cunning,  that  until  to-night  I  have  never 
been  able  to  lay  hands  upon  him  in  his  guilt.  But 
to-morrow  will  dawn  a  brighter  day  for  Egypt,  in  that 
she  will  be  rid  of  one  of  her  greatest  evils.  And  were 
you  not  afraid  ?  " 

Jill  smiled  up  into  the  eyes  fixed  with  love,  plus 
worship,  plus  reverence,  upon  her.  "  I  ?  Oh !  no ! 
Why  should  I  be  when  I  am  supposed  to  be  one  of  the 
finest  shots  in  Europe  ?  Are  you  going  to  kill  him  ?  " 

"  He  will  be  dead  ere  the  sun  rises,  and  I  beg  you 
to  forgive  me  if  I  leave  you  for  a  while,  for  I  must 
go  to  give  orders  as  to  his  death." 

Jill's  thoughts  can  be  most  aptly  described  as  tu- 
multuous, but  her  smile  was  a  festival  of  youth  as 
she  watched  the  Arab,  in  whom  she  had  put  her  trust, 
walk  up  the  long  avenue,  stop,  and  clap  his  hands. 

She  could  hear  no  word  of  the  orders  given  to  the 
servant,  who  ran  from  ont  a  clump  of  trees  to  kneel 
at  his  master's  feet,  but  she  guessed  that  it  was  the 
engraven  emerald  ring  which  passed  from  one  to  the 
other  to  be  hidden  in  the  servant's  turban;  and  she 
felt  a  wave  of  absolute  satisfaction  sweep  through  her 
whole  being  at  the  thought  of  the  man's  death  before 
the  dawn. 

At  which  sensation  she  mentally  shook  herself,  feel- 
ing that  the  young  tree  of  her  experience,  unrestrainedly 
shooting  out  in  all  directions  within  the  space  of  a  few 
hours,  would  require  the  sharp  edge  of  the  pruning 
knife  if  it  was  to  be  kept  to  the  merest  outline  of  the 


68  DESERT  LOVE 

shape  common  to  the  ordinary  life  she  had  led  up  to 
now. 

"  It  is  well !  He  dies  before  the  dawn !  "  announced 
the  Arab  prosaically,  as  he  came  towards  this  woman 
who,  on  the  edge  of  a  new  life  which  might,  for  all 
she  knew,  bring  ruin,  despair,  or  even  death  in  its 
wake,  could  so  tranquilly  talk  of  the  risks  she  had  al- 
ready encountered  in  the  course  of  the  first  few  steps 
she  had  taken  upon  the  path  she  had  chosen  to  follow. 

"  And  tell  me,  O !  woman,  whose  courage  causes  me 
to  marvel,  how  once  happily  escaped  from  the  house 
of  few  windows  and  but  one  apparent  door,  did  you 
find  your  way  to  these  gates  ?  " 

"  Oh !  that !  "  said  Jill,  as  she  sat  with  her  hands 
about  her  knee  and  her  face  upturned  to  the  moon, 
which,  throwing  a  deep  shadow  from  the  hat  brim 
across  the  upper  part  of  her  face,  made  of  the  deep 
eyes  a  mystery,  and  a  delirious  invitation  of  the  red 
mouth.  "  Amongst  other  till  now  useless  accomplish- 
ments, I  have  learned  to  guide  myself  by  the  stars, 
though  I'm  positive  they  move  over  here.  I  had  no- 
ticed that  big  one  there,  which  we  haven't  got  in  Eng- 
land, that  very  big  sparkling  one,  hung  over  the  quarter 
in  which  the  waiting-maid  told  me  lay  your  house." 

"  Yes !  "  replied  the  man  who,  though  he  knew  the 
West  so  well,  was  secretly  wondering  at  the  trait  in 
a  character  which  allowed  a  woman,  on  the  edge  of 
something  unknown,  fraught,  perhaps,  with  every  kind 
of  danger,  to  talk  unconcernedly  of  hotels,  face  creams, 
blue  doors,  and  stars.  "  That  is  the  Star  of  Happi- 
ness, it  hangs  also  right  in  the  middle  of  my  oasis,  right 
over  my  desert  dwelling,"  and  the  string  of  beads  hang- 


DESERT  LOVE  69 

ing  from  the  waist  slipped  through  the  long  fingers  as 
words  of  prayer  fell  softly  on  the  perfumed  air. 

The  girl  got  up  and  walked  over  to  the  camels. 

"  So  I  followed  my  star  and  suddenly  found  myself 
at  the  gates !  Is  this  my  ship  of  the  desert  —  and  what 
a  beautiful  coat,  the  dear  thing,"  starting  back  as  the 
dear  thing  turned  its  head  suddenly,  bared  its  teeth 
and  snarled. 

"  Don't  be  afraid,  she  is  always  nervous  with  stran- 
gers, also  is  she  a  little  spoilt,  being  the  fastest  and 
most  perfect  Bactrian  camel  in  the  whole  of  Egypt 
and  Arabia.  Her  pedigree,  on  parchment  embossed 
with  gold,  goes  back  almost  to  Ismael,  and  is  kept  in 
a  Millwell  safe  in  my  oasis,  which  shows  that  East 
does  meet  West  occasionally.  She  has,  up  to  to-night, 
known  no  rider  but  me,  and  is  used  only  for  short 
journeys  of  about  seven  days ;  you  see  these  two-humped 
beasts  can  only  go  three  days  with  comfort  without  a 
drink,  but  their  pace  is  so  smooth  that  it  almost  in- 
duces one  to  sleep.  Also  Taffadaln,  which  means  wel- 
come, a  name  given  to  her  after  her  mother  had  foaled 
three  he-camels,  has  a  special  guard  both  day  and  night, 
for  there  are  many  who  covet  her,  for  she  is  the  queen 
of  camels,  with  her  blood  and  breeding  enhanced  by 
many  years  of  training  and  special  treatment.  But 
alas!  though  her  coat  is  as  silk,  the  cushions  of  her  feet 
without  fault,  and  her  teeth  unblemished  ivory,  her 
manners  are  as  ill-bred,  and  her  indifference  to  those 
who  love  her  as  great  as  that  of  the  lowest  of  her  species 
which  pollute  the  streets  of  Cairo."  And  leaning  down 
he  patted  the  beast's  head,  speaking  to  her  in  the  na- 
tive tongue,  whereupon  she  made  juicy,  gurgling  sounds 


70  DESERT  LOVE 

in  her  long  throat,  and  nuzzled  the  flowing  sleeve,  which 
might  have  meant  affection  in  any  other  animal  but  a 
camel. 

"  More  extremes,"  he  added,  as  a  long,  soft  blast 
of  a  motor-horn  sounded  just  outside  the  walls.  "  Will 
you  not  sit  dov/n  whilst  I  explain  things  for  the  last 
time,"  unwinding,  as  he  spoke,  the  soft  black  cloak 
from  about  him,  and  folding  it  to  make  a  cushion  for 
the  stone,  standing  silhouetted  against  the  shadow  of 
the  walls,  whilst  the  slight  breeze  blowing  the  snow- 
white  raiment  outlined  the  tremendous  width  of  shoul- 
der, the  slimness  of  the  waist,  and  the  muscular  leanness 
of  the  whole  body. 

A.nd  Jill  sat  down  with  a  suddenness  surprising  in 
so  controlled  a  person,  and  to  hide  a  sudden  rush  of 
rosy  colour  which  swept  uncontrollably  from  chin  to 
brow,  extracted  another  cigarette  from  the  Russian 
case. 

"  '  Simon  A/tz,'  I  am  sure !  May  I  not  offer  you 
one  of  mine?  They  are  all  made  especially  and  only 
for  me.  And  do  you  prize  the  case  ?  No !  " 

As  the  girl  shook  her  head  he  took  the  wooden  trifle 
from  her,  closed  his  hand  gently,  and,  crushing  it  to 
matchwood,  dropped  it  soundlessly  on  to  the  sand. 

And  when  Hahmed,  the  Arab,  had  finished  speaking, 
Jill  Garden,  the  English  girl,  understood  that  with  her 
only  rested  the  decision,  that  even  now,  at  the  eleventh 
hour,  she  was  still  absolutely  free  to  go. 

Outside  the  gates  waited  the  man's  car,  ready  to 
take  her  wherever  she  listed  on  her  way  home!  At 
her  feet  lay  the  camels,  ready  to  take  her  to  all  the 
possibilities  of  the  unknown! 


DESERT  LOVE  71 

There  was  absolute  silence  as  she  sat  motionless, 
looking  into  the  future.  In  the  West  she  saw  boats, 
trains,  hotels,  inner  cabins,  middle  seats,  back  bed- 
rooms ;  felt  women,  mothers,  and  wives  clutching  their 
mankind  so  as  to  keep  them  from  the  pariah,  the  penni- 
less, pretty  companion ;  heard  the  clink  of  the  five  or 
ten  shillings  a  week  paid  monthly  in  silver,  and  all  this 
to  be  repeated  over  and  over  again  until  she  died,  un- 
less she  married  a  man  she  did  not  love  and  "  settled 
down  "  for  ever  and  ever  and  ever ;  though  even  this 
possibility  seemed  to  have  receded  into  the  remote  dis- 
tance with  the  receding  of  her  fortune. 

Then  she  looked  up  to  the  stars,  and  down  to  the 
sand,  and  out  to  the  East,  seeing  her  freedom  if  she 
dared  grasp  it,  if  she  dared  venture  out  on  the  many 
days'  journey  which,  to  her  astonishment,  she  had 
learned  stretched  between  Ismailiah  and  the  oasis. 

She  scrutinised  the  man  before  her  —  this  Arab  with 
the  impassive  face,  the  camels  at  his  feet,  her  life  in 
his  hands  if  she  went  with  him. 

His  what  ?  Wife !  to  settle  down  for  ever  and  ever 
and  ever. 

His  plaything?  This  was  not  the  man  to  play  or  be 
played  with,  for  had  he  not  said: 

"  If  you  come  with  me,  fear  not  that  you  will  be  a 
prisoner.  The  oasis,  the  house,  my  servants,  houses, 
camels,  all  will  be  yours,  and  there  will  be  nothing 
to  prevent  your  leaving  it  all  —  nothing  except  the 
desert,  the  miles  of  pitiless  sand,  trackless,  pathless, 
strewn  with  the  white  bones  of  those  who  have  essayed 
to  escape  from  Fate,  the  never-changing,  ever-different 
ocean  which  beats  about  my  dwelling." 


72  PESEKT  LOVE 

Then  once  again  she  looked  into  the  dark  eyes  which 
were  reading  every  passing  emotion  on  the  mobile  face, 
and  putting  out  her  hands  made  one  step  towards  the 
camel,  whilst  the  soul  of  the  desert  laughed  with  her 
scarlet  mouth. 


A  SHAEP  word  of  command  and  the  pack-camel  rose, 
moved  a  few  paces  on  its  noiseless  feet,  swaying  from 
side  to  side  as  though  to  readjust  its  load,  whisked  its 
miserable  tail,  and  stretching  out  its  long  neck  began 
to  nibble  the  leaves  of  a  flowering  shrub. 

Jill  followed  the  beast,  stroked  its  silky  coat,  and 
prodded  one  of  the  water  skins  filled  to  bursting. 

"  Will  that  be  enough  to  last  us  all  the  way  ?  And 
what  happens  when  we  want  to  rest?  And  do  we  do 
all  the  cooking  and  washing-up  ourselves,  just  like  a 
picnic  ?  What  fun !  "  Which  shows  that  Jill  had  no 
idea  of  what  unlimited  money  can  do  to  mitigate  the 
discomfort  of  desert  travelling  by  providing  every  pos- 
sible comfort,  even  luxury. 

"  My  servants  have  gone  ahead  with  a  caravan  con- 
taining all  that  I  think  will  be  necessary  for  your  com- 
fort. The  journey  takes  many  nights  of  travelling 
when  the  cool  wind  has  tempered  the  scorching  sands. 
At  sunrise  we  shall  find  our  tents  pitched,  and  you 
shall  rest  from  then,  an  hour  after  dawn,  until  just 
before  sunset,  for  it  is  unwise  to  be  asleep  at  sunset 
in  the  desert.  When  we  halt  your  bath  will  be  ready, 
your  meals  as  you  desire,  your  bed  as  soft  and  spotless 
as  your  own." 

"  Really !  "  said  Jill,  who  had  imagined  herself 
camping  out  under  the  stars  with  scorpions  and  spiders 

73 


74  DESEKT  LOVE 

as  bedfellows.  "  But  if  the  men  have  to  go  on  ahead 
of  us,  we  shall  have  to  get  up  early  so  as  to  let  them 
pack  and  give  them  a  start." 

The  ^rab  gravely  shook  his  head,  with  never  a  glim- 
mer of  a  smile  rear  the  mouth  or  eyes. 

"Ah!  no!  you  need  not  worry,  a  caravan  of  many 
persons  has  preceded  us." 

"Many  people!"  ejaculated  Jill.  "What  a  lot  of 
servants  for  two !  " 

"  Let  me  explain !  In  Egypt,  Arabia,  or  Persia, 
when  we  speak  of  sheep  or  horses  we  say  so  many 
'  head/  but  not  so  of  the  camel.  The  camel  is  the  most 
cherished  possession  of  the  Arab. 

"  There  are  three  events  which  bring  joy  to  us,  and 
which  are  occasions  of  greatest  festival,  namely,  the 
birth  of  a  son,  the  birth  of  a  she-camel,  and  the  birth 
of  a  mare.  The  she-camel  provides  her  master  with 
food  for  both  himself  and  his  horses;  for  in  an  area, 
or  season,  where  there  is  little  water  but  an  abundance 
of  juicy  grass  in  which  the  camel  finds  both  food  and 
drink,  the  camel's  milk  is  given  to  the  horses  in  lieu 
of  water,  the  master's  covering  and  tent  are  made  of 
the  hair,  the  waterless  places  are  known  to  him  through 
her.  There  are  many  other  ways  in  which  the  animal 
is  useful,  and  for  which  we  daily  return  thanks  to  Allah, 
therefore  we  speak  of  them  as  persons,  so  many  persons 
in  a  herd,  because  as  the  proverb  says,  '  God  created 
the  camel  for  the  Arab,  and  the  Arab  for  the  camel.' 

"  Therefore  for  each  resting-place  there  are  two  one- 
humped  camels  to  carry  all  things  necessary  for  your 
eight's  sojourn." 

"  Why  one-humped  ?  "  asked  the  girl,  who  was  of  au 


DESERT  LOVE  75 

inquiring  turn  of  mind,  and  was  getting  slightly  mixed 
with  her  first  endeavour  to  grasp  something  of  Eastern 
life. 

"  The  one-humped  or,  as  we  say,  the  Dyemal-mai, 
which  means  water-camel,  although  they  cannot  carry 
so  heavy  a  load  as  the  Bactrian,  can  go  even  up  to  eight 
or  nine  days  without  water. 

"  There  is  only  one  well  between  here  and  the  wa- 
ter, and  it  is  usually  surrounded  by  caravans,  with 
water  as  thick  as  the  mud  in  a  London  street  in  No- 
vember, and  dirtier,  'being  polluted  by  the  filth  of  man 
and  beast. 

"  This  we  will  pass,  contenting  ourselves  with  the 
water  we  carry  for  ablutions  and  cooking,  and  with 
wine  or  coffee  to  drink.  If  there  is  water  to  spare  the 
camels  can  have  it,  if  not  they  can  go  without,  with 
the  exception  of  the  two  that  carry  us. 

"  But  you  will  find  the  going  irksome  even  on  Tai 
fadaln,  and  so  that  you  may  rest,  beautiful  woman, 
whose  name  even  I  do  not  know,  Howesha,  which 
name,  being  translated,  means  that  she  is  a  past  mis- 
tress in  the  art  of  grumbling,  carries  all  that  will  give 
you  repose  if  you  should  desire  to  stop  before  we  reach 
our  caravan." 

And  just  as  though  she  understood,  Howesha  the 
Grumbler,  opening  wide  her  mouth,  proceeded  to  give 
a  series  of  very  fine  imitations,  including  those  of  a 
nest  of  spitting  snakes,  a  sobbing  woman,  and  a  chok- 
ing dog — all  of  which  she  concluded  by  her  master- 
piece, of  a  child  masticating  sticky  sweets,  when  her 
master,  to  stop  her  querulous  upbraidings,  thrust  dates 
between  her  polished  teeth. 


76  DESERT  LOVE 

And  then  he  turned  to  Jill,  who  was  laughing  de- 
lightedly, and  stroked  her  camel's  coat. 

"  Later  you  shall  have  servants,  many  of  them,  who 
hand  and  foot,  shall  do  your  bidding,  and  carry  out 
your  slightest  wish,  but  to-night  and  for  ever  I  am 
your  slave.  Allah!  to  think  that  I,  the  worst  feared 
man  in  Egypt,  whose  word  is  law,  who  condemns  to 
death  by  the  lifting  of  a  finger,  of  a  race  who  looks 
upon  women  as  a  useful  plaything,  at  the  most  as 
a  potential  mother  of  sons,  I  crav^e  to  serve  you  from 
your  lying  down  in  the  heat  of  the  day  to  your  rising 
up,  when  the  sunset  breeze  shall  blow  the  soft  curls 
about  your  flower-face.  Do  you  think  I  would  allow 
a  servant,  some  low-born  son  of  a  bazaar-dweller,  to 
throw  his  shadow  upon  the  ground  over  which  your 
lovely  feet  must  tread,  or  to  touch  a  vessel  which  your 
white  fingers  might  hold,  to  breathe  the  air  which 
maybe  has  just  passed  from  your  sweet  mouth,  on 
this  night  when  you  make  your  journey  into  Egypt, 
real  Egypt ;  for  to  us,  Cairo  and  other  such  places  are 
but  tourist  centres  which  we  give  to  the  foreigner 
readily,  traversing  many  miles  of  sand  and  rock  and 
hills  ourselves,  before  we  can  lie  down  upon  the  soft 
breast  of  our  own  motherland. 

"  Come,  woman !  The  moon  tarries  not,  neither 
does  the  sun,  and  we  have  many  miles  to  go." 

With  the  exception  of  a  twopenny  ride  at  the  Zoo, 
few  Europeans  ever  mount  or  ride  a  camel,  thereby 
missing  an  art  or  a  pastime  or  sport,  which  to  the 
novice,  until  he  has  been  thoroughly  and  literally  broken 
in,  is  the  most  back,  heart,  and  nerve- wearing  means 


DESERT  LOVE  77 

of  locomotion  he  could  possibly  choose  in  all  the  wide 
world. 

Jill  stood  ankle-deep  in  flowers  looking  down  at  her 
mount,  the  prize  of  the  desert. 

"  I  do  not  know  how  you  will  fare,  woman  of  the 
West.  I  dare  not  put  palanquin  on  Taffadaln  for  fear 
that  she  might  bolt  from  terror  and  take  you  far  into 
the  desert,  there  to  die.  But  arrived  at  our  destina- 
tion she  shall  be  broken  in  at  once,  however,  for  in  all 
my  stables  there  is  no  other  camel  with  her  sliding 
step,  not  one  who  would  not  make  you  feel  as  though 
your  spine  had  snapped  after  one  hour's  journey  upon 
its  back.  We  Arabs  can  sit  a  camel  in  more  than  one 
way,  but  the  easiest  for  you,  and  Allah  knows  it  will 
be  hard  enough  after  a  time,  is,  if  your  skirt  permits, 
to  sit  astride  and  put  both  your  feet  round  the  pummel 
in  front.  That,  anyway,  will  prevent  you  from  be- 
ing twisted  as  you  are  with  the  shocking  ladies'  saddle 
you  use  in  England." 

"  Oh,  but  I  ride  astride,"  volunteered  Jill,  as  she 
raised  her  skirts,  settled  herself,  and  taking  the  gold- 
studded  rein,  held  firmly  to  the  front  and  back  peak 
of  the  saddle  as  instructed,  and  awaited  the  word  of 
command. 

A  camel  rises  from  its  front  or  hind  legs  just  as  the 
fancy  seizes  it,  so  that  if  you  do  not  keep  a  fair  balance, 
also  yourself  in  complete  readiness  to  lean  forward  or 
backward  according  to  your  mount's  final  decision,  you 
will  assuredly  find  yourself  ignominiously  pitched  in  a 
heap  over  the  quadruped's  nose,  or  just  as  ignomini- 
ously hanging  head  down  in  the  vicinity  of  its  tail, 
either  of  which  positions  will  cause  her  to  chortle  glee- 


78  DESERT  LOVE 

fully  before  the  next  lurch,  which  gets  the  rest  of  her 
feet  into  order. 

A  final  touch  is  given  by  the  imitation  of  an  infan- 
tile earthquake  as  she  arranges  you  to  her  taste,  and 
then  you  may  consider  yourself  ready  to  start  out  on  a 
journey  which  may  make  you  more  sea-sick  than  any 
rough  channel-crossing  in  boat  or  aeroplane. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

IT  was  with  a  feeling  of  exultation  that  Jill,  from 
her  elevated  seat,  looked  down  into  the  Arab's  face, 
outlined  in  the  scented  dimness  of  the  garden  by  the 
snow-white  head-cloth,  and  her  brilliant  mouth  widened 
in  a  low  laugh  of  pleasure  as  she  pulled  down  a  bough 
of  fluffy  mimosa  to  sniff  its  perfume,  and  she  also  gave 
a  little  shriek  of  dismay  as  Taffadaln,  taking  matters 
into  her  own  enormous  feet,  and  utterly  ignoring  the 
frantic  tugging  of  the  silken  reins,  suddenly  stalked 
off  towards  the  gate. 

There  was  a  sharp  word  of  command  bringing  the 
animal  to  a  stan  Istill,  then  a  throaty  exclamation  from 
somewhere  in  the  long  neck  as  she  pitted  her  hereditary 
obstinacy  against  the  man's  will. 

Five  times,  with  a  blatant  wink  towards  her  sisters 
and  a  snee""  :  a  her  hideous  mouth,  she  journeyed  to- 
wards the  gate,  and  five  times  was  she  Drought  back 
to  the  starting-place,  to  be  fastened  at  last  by  a  strong 
lead  to  the  bridle  of  her  more  submissive  sister,  who 
was  making  disgusting  masticatory  noises  over  a  tough 
twig. 

Then,  upon  the  fastening  of  the  lead,  there  arose  a 
concerto  of  such  growlings,  fretting,  sobbing,  groaning, 
and  roaring,  as  to  make  the  inexperienced  Jill  beg  to 
be  allowed  to  dismount,  for  fear  of  having  caused  hurt 
to  the  hateful  brute. 

But  it  seemed  that  all  the  fuss  came  about  through 

79 


80  DESEET  LOVE 

the  Queen  of  the  Desert's  objection  to  the  unknown 
lady  on  her  back,  an  objection  which  was  causing  her 
to  twist  her  long  neck  backwards  in  the  diabolical  hope 
that  the  loose-lipped  mouth  in  the  spite-contorted  face 
might  reach  something  to  bite,  be  it  foot  or  saddle, 
cloth  or  skirt. 

"  O !  hateful,  impatient  descendant  of  a  dissatisfied 
mother!"  suddenly  ejaculated  the  man.  "More  fool- 
ish than  an  ostrich,  and  as  poisonous  as  a  scorpion, 
yet  have  I  to  put  up  with  thy  whims  and  fancies  be- 
cause of  thy  specially  formed  stomach.  I,  who  long 
to  strike  thy  repellent  face  again  and  again,  and  dare 
not,  for  the  fear  that  thy  evil,  dwarfed  brain,  twisted 
with  jealousy,  might  make  thy  beautiful  rider  the  ob- 
ject of  thy  revenge,  tearing  her  limb  from  limb,  and 
rolling  upon  her ;  1  but  behold !  in  as  much  as  Allah 
made  thee,  yet  shalt  thou,  through  thy  disobedience 
and  ill-manners  of  to-day,  be  put  to  stud  with  thy 
elder  brother,  who,  for  a  camel,  rejoiceth  in  seeming 
good  manners.  Then  shalt  thou  be  chastened,  and  thy 
milk  given  to  the  feeding  of  horses." 

This  harangue  might  have  been  a  psean  of  praise  for 
all  the  change  it  made  in  the  beautiful  Eastern  voice, 
and  the  girl's  low  laughter  rang  out  like  bells  on  the 
night  air,  as  the  man  explained  that  the  animal  was 
inordinately  jealous  of  all  and  sundry  who,  in  her  sin- 
laden  brain,  she  feared  might  do  her  out  of  a  handful 
of  sugar  or  bucket  of  water. 

i  To  revenge  the  lash  or  whip  camels  have  been  known  even 
after  a  lapse  of  months  to  seize  their  victim,  tearing  and  tram- 
pling him  to  pieces,  and  then  with  infinite  relish  proceed  to  roll 
time  and  again  upon  the  remain? 


DESEET  LOVE  81 

From  all  time  women  have  revelled  in  a  novel  sensa- 
tion, but  never  surely  so  much,  or  in  such  a  one,  as 
did  Jill  in  hers,  as,  with  peace  restored,  she  passed 
through  the  gates  with  her  companion,  on  her  way 
to  a  life  about  which  she  had  not  allowed  herself  the 
slightest  analysis. 

And  a  great  silence  fell  on  the  girl  as  they  left  the 
town,  padding  noiselessly  through  the  outskirts  where 
no  one  met  them,  and  no  sound  was  to  be  heard  save 
for  the  barking  of  dogs,  and  the  occasional  wail  of  an 
infant ;  for  the  strangeness  of  everything  had  suddenly 
made  her  realise  that  of  her  own  will  she  was  standing 
on  the  threshold  of  a  new  life,  laden  —  though  this  the 
usual  narrow  outlook  and  education  of  the  West  pre- 
vented her  from  understanding  —  with  a  love  and  pas- 
sion and  womanhood  which  cannot,  and  never  will  be, 
realised  in  countries  where  the  dominant  colour  is  grey. 

Gone  was  her  laughter,  and  vanished  the  merry  ex- 
clamations and  remarks,  as  she  began  to  glean  some 
idea  of  the  width  and  breadth  of  the  desert  which  was 
slowly  engulfing  her. 

Once  or  twice  she  had  looked  behind  at  the  ever- 
receding  town,  with  the  sheen  of  the  fresh  water  canal 
becoming  fainter  and  fainter  at  each  step,  until  it  at  last 
vanished  into  nothingness.  And  the  living  silence  of 
the  desert  seemed  to  close  in  upon  her,  and  the  canopy 
of  heaven,  weighty  with  stars,  to  press  down  upon  her, 
and  the  snapping  and  breaking  of  generations-rooted 
conventions  to  deafen  her,  until  like  a  lost  child  she 
suddenly  sobbed,  and  dropping  the  rein,  held  out  her 
hands  to  the  man  who,  although  she  knew  it  not,  had 
been  watching  and  waiting  for  just  such  an  outburst. 


82  DESERT  LOVE 

For  he  worshipped  the  sand  and  pebbles  and  rocks 
and  dunes  and  hills  of  his  adored  desert,  and  knew  the 
effect  it  sometimes  made,  even  at  the  paltry  distance 
of  a  mile  or  two  from  some  teeming  city,  upon  both 
male  and  female  denizens  of  the  West,  who  bloom 
palely  in  the  heat  of  a  coal-fire,  and  lift  their  faces 
thankfully  to  the  red  lozenge  which,  for  eight  months 
of  an  English  year,  represents  the  sun  shining  through 
fog  or  cloud. 

Also  must  it  be  confessed  that  Jill's  head  was  begin- 
ning already  to  swim  a  little  with  the  sway  of  the 
camel,  though  of  nausea  she  suffered  not  at  all,  and 
it  was  with  a  feeling  of  joy  that  she  felt  the  animals 
come  to  a  halt,  saw  the  black  one,  upon  a  word  of  com- 
mand, get  docilely  to  its  knees,  heard  Howesha  grum- 
bling fiercely  to  the  moon  as  she  went  through  the  same 
gymnastic  performance,  and  felt  her  own  rocking  and 
pitching  until  it  came  to  the  ground.  Whereupon  she 
dismounted  lightly,  and  reeled  against  the  man  as  the 
entire  desert,  herself  and  camels  included,  turned  a 
complete  somersault,  after  which  she  meekly  sat  down 
on  Taffadaln's  back  and  watched  proceedings. 

The  pack-camel  lay  supinely  as  its  master  with  strong 
deft  fingers  unbound  and  unknotted  the  various  ropes 
until  everything  desired  was  found. 

A  rug  of  many  colours  was  laid  at  Jill's  feet,  and 
cushions  thrown  thereon,  upon  which,  with  a  great 
sigh  of  relief,  she  laid  herself  down,  until  something 
softly  crawling  round  her  neck  brought  her  to  her  feet 
shaking  with  disgust. 

"  It  is  doubtlessly  a  sand-spider,"  explained  the  man. 
"  They  are  perfectly  harmless  and  to  be  found  every- 


DESERT  LOVE  83 

where,  and  are  even  welcomed  in  some  houses  as  they 
help  to  reduce  the  plague  of  flies  from  which  we  have 
suffered,  with  other  things,  since  the  time  of  Pharaoh. 
I  am  so  sorry,  but  insects  are  a  nuisance  we  have  totally 
failed  to  conquer,  though  in  your  house,  believe  me, 
there  will  be  none,  not  even  the  smallest." 

Upon  which  assurance  Jill  sat  down,  took  off  her 
hat,  arranged  her  hair  in  a  pocket  mirror,  flicked  a 
shadow  of  powder  upon  her  nose,  and  settled  down  to 
watch  and  wait. 

The  man's  agile  fingers  arranged  some  charcoal, 
which  he  lighted  quickly  in  some  desert  fashion  inside 
a  square  of  four  bricks,  over  which  he  placed  a  brass 
tripod. 

There  was  a  gurgling  sound  as  water  ran  from  a 
skin  into  a  brass  pot  which  hung  from  a  hook  on  the 
tripod,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  water  began  to  bub- 
ble furiously,  as  the  fire,  leaping  and  falling,  cast  giant 
shadows  on  the  Arab's  flowing  robes. 

Small  boxes  were  opened,  and  the  contents  laid  on 
plates:  sandwiches,  cakes,  sweetmeats,  fruit,  and  wine, 
red  and  white,  in  skins,  poured  into  empty  earthen- 
ware jugs  in  which  to  cool  it.  Small  cups  of  Egyptian 
coffee,  a  "  Cona  Machine "  for  the  Western  idea  of 
coffee,  and  a  box  of  cigarettes. 

"  If  I  had  known  you  would  be  a-hungered,  I  would 
have  brought  the  wherewithal  to  make  a  repast  of 
substance !  " 

"  Oh,  but  it  is  all  so  topping !  "  cried  the  girl,  and 
then  stopped. 

The  slang  words  had  suddenly  struck  her  as  foolish 
and  silly,  and  out  of  place  in  a  country  where  the 


84  DESEET  LOVE 

syllables  of  words  sound  sonorously,  and  time  passes 
like  a  slow  moving  river  with  its  banks  unchoked  with 
"  hustle  weeds."  And  from  that  day,  or  rather  night, 
Jill  gave  up  slang,  and  one  by  one  all  the  little  dreary 
habits  which  rub  the  bloom  off  the  Western  maid. 


CHAPTER  XV 

A  STRIKING  and  unrealistic  picture  the  two  made  a» 
they  lay  on  their  cushions  alone  in  the  desert.  The 
girl  in  her  white  dress,  which  in  truth  was  somewhat 
crumpled,  her  white  neck  rising  like  a  gleaming  pillar 
from  the  low-cut  blouse,  the  little  curls  rippling  round 
the  face  which,  under  the  moonlight  and  the  stress  of 
the  past  hours,  showed  white  with  shadow-encircled 
eyes,  gazing  at  the  man  who  rose  and  knelt  with  a 
towel  of  softest  linen,  and  a  basin  of  brass  filled  with 
water. 

Jill  happened  to  be  one  of  those  lucky  individuals 
who  can  with  impunity  wash  their  face  anywhere,  and 
at  any  time  of  the  day,  and  look  the  better  for  it. 
Neither  had  she  to  fear  a  futurist  impression  in  vivid 
colours  of  Dorin  rouge  and  blue  pencillings  mixed 
with  liquid  powder  appearing  on  her  face  after  a  sud- 
den rain  storm. 

So  she  put  her  face  right  into  the  basin,  lifted  it 
sparkling  with  laughter  and  rainbow  drops  to  bury  it 
in  the  snowy  cloth.  Her  sleeves  she  turned  back,  and 
ran  the  water  up  and  down  her  arms. 

"  And  you  must  wash  your  feet,  woman,  for  so  small 
are  they,  they  must  assuredly  be  fatigued !  " 

And  without  hesitation  the  girl  proffered  her  shoe  to 
be  unlaced,  whilst  without  lifting  her  skirt,  with  a 
quick  movement  she  undid  the  suspender  which  held 
her  last  pair  of  real  silk  stockings  to  the  infinitesimal 

85 


86  DESERT  LOVE 

girdle  she  wore  instead  of  the  usual  figure-distorting 
corset,  peeled  off  the  silken  hose  and  put  the  prettiest 
foot  in  the  world  in  flesh,  painting,  or  marble,  into 
another  basin  of  brass  laid  upon  the  ground,  and  also 
filled  with  water. 

"  Allah !  "  whispered  the  man,  as  he  dried  each  little 
foot,  "  so  small,  so  slender,  rivalling  the  arch  of  Ctes- 
isphon,  dimpled  as  the  sky  at  dawn,  never  in  the 
most  perfect  Circassian  have  I  seen  feet  so  wonderful, 
glory  be  to  Allah,  whose  prophet  is  Mohammed." 

And  then  the  Arab,  filling  another  basin,  moved  to 
the  far  corner  of  the  rug,  where  facing  towards  the 
East  he  made  ablutions  of  his  mouth  and  hands  and 
feet,  and  raising  his  hands  to  heaven,  gave  praise  to 
his  God  for  the  wonder  of  the  day,  and  bowed  himself 
in  obeisance. 

"  I  was  returning  thanks  to  Allah  for  you,  O !  Moon 
Flower,"  he  said  simply,  and  led  her  to  the  cloth  of 
finest  damask  upon  which  the  repast  was  spread,  prais- 
ing Allah  anew  as  he  poured  the  contents  of  the  wine 
jars  upon  the  sands  when  Jill  announced  that  she  only 
drank  water. 

Rested  and  cheered,  the  girl  chatted  merrily  all 
through  the  al  fresco  meal,  in  her  turn  inwardly  giving 
thanks  for  the  Arab's  perfect  manners  and  knowledge 
of  table  methods,  for  in  her  heart  she,  particular  to 
the  point  of  becoming  finicky  about  the  usually  so 
unpleasant  process  of  eating,  had  looked  forward  with 
absolute  horror  to  the  moment  when  the  man's  fingers 
should  close  upon  some  succulent  portion  of  a  mess  of 
pottage  or  chicken,  and  convey  it  to  his  mouth  with 
charitable  distribution  of  rice  grains  upon  the  beard. 


DESERT  LOVE  87 

Reassured,  her  laughter  rang  out  sweetly  when  the 
absence  of  methylated  spirit  for  the  "  Cona  Machine  " 
was  discovered. 

"  And  I  would  really  rather  have  yours,"  said  she, 
"  for  am  I  not  to  become  an  Eastern "  and  sud- 
denly stopped,  for  looking  up  she  found  the  man  gazing 
at  her  with  eyes  ablaze  with  love. 

And  once  more  a  great  silence  fell  between  them, 
as  they  both  sat  staring  wide-eyed  over  the  desert,  and 
up  into  the  starry  heavens. 

Few,  very  few  of  those  who  live  in  the  West  havo 
had  the  privilege  of  sitting  alone  under  the  stars  in  the 
desert. 

This  does  not  mean  riding  out  on  a  tourist  track 
with  dragoman  and  camel-driver,  and  retiring  a  few 
yards  from  their  perpetual  chatter  to  gaze  at  the  heav* 
ens  in  what  you  imagine  to  be  the  approved  style,  tc 
the  accompaniment  of  correct  gasps,  after  which,  find- 
ing you  have  left  your  cigarettes  behind,  you  look  ai 
your  wrist  watch  and  wait  another  five  minutes,  until 
you  can  with  decency  saunter  back  to  your  camel- 
driver  with  the  feeling  of  something  quite  well  done, 
and  the  unuttered  hope  in  your  mind  that  everyone 
would  not  have  gone  to  bed  on  your  return. 

No!  it  means,  when  wearied  from  long  travel  you 
call  a  halt,  perhaps  just  before  the  dawn,  when  the 
very  stars  seem  to  commune  with  you. 

Leaving  your  servants  to  pitch  your  tent,  urge  your 
camel  to  the  distance  when  the  clattering  of  pans,  and 
the  jar  of  inter-domestic  feud  shall  not  assail  your  hear- 
ing, then  urge  your  camel  to  its  knees,  and  set  you 
at  a  distance  so  that  the  pungent  odour  of  the 


88  DESEKT  LOVE 

beast  shall  not  assail  your  nostrils,  and  then  removing 
little  by  little  the  outer  covering  of  the  worries  and 
pin-pricks  which  have  made  the  passing  of  the  day  un- 
bearable, give  way  to  your  soul,  or  second  self,  or  what- 
ever you  call  that  which  causes  you  to  joy  in  the  com- 
ing of  the  spring,  and  to  mourn  when  the  fire  refuses 
to  heat  but  a  portion  of  the  room  in  winter. 

For  this  is  what  happened  to  Jill,  the  English  girl, 
as  she  sat  on  her  cushions  in  the  Egyptian  desert,  and 
has  nothing  to  do  with  table-turning,  or  ten-and-six- 
penny  visions  in  Maida  Vale,  or  whisperings,  or  touch- 
ings  in  a  conveniently  darkened  room;  neither  must 
you  put  it  down  to  magnetism  or  hypnotism,  or  any  of 
those  "  isms  "  which  we,  of  a  glacier-born  country  and 
a  machine-made  life,  so  irreverently  tag  on  as  terms 
descriptive  to  all  that  which  we  cannot  label  and  place 
upon  a  museum  shelf,  or  conveniently  start  by  motor 
power. 

A  long  dissertation  on  the  Eastern's  power  of  con- 
centration, love  of  meditation,  and  utter  detachment 
from  self,  would  doubtlessly  prove  wearisome  in  the 
extreme,  neither  for  a  true  explanation  thereof  can  help 
be  got  from  highly  or  lowly  born  native.  Without 
movement  for  hours  he  will  sit  or  squat,  as  becomes 
his  station,  staring,  as  we  should  say,  vacantly  into 
space,  in  reality  seeing  and  hearing  that  which  others, 
blinded  by  material  enjoyment,  can  never  hope  to  visual- 
ise or  hear. 

Jill  afterwards  tried  to  explain  the  outcome  of  this, 
her  first  step  in  the  meadows  of  meditation,  which  she 
took  without  help  and  without  intention,  and  in  which 
uLe  hurf  become  so  versed,  to  the  mystification  of  those 


DESEKT  LOVE  89 

ftbont  her,  who  look  upon  woman  as  a  hearer  of  chil- 
dren, a  plaything  for  sunny  hours,  useful  in  time  of 
rain,  endowed  with  the  brain  of  a  pea-hen,  and  as  much 
soul  as  the  priests  see  fit  to  mete  out  to  her. 

"  Something  had  left  me,"  Jill  explained  later. 
"  My  body  seemed  to  be  sitting  on  the  cushions,  and 
I  could  minutely  describe  the  way  Hahmed  was  sitting, 
and  the  exact  shape  of  the  shadow  cast  before  him  by 
the  moon,  which  was  setting  behind  us.  But  inside 
I  was  quite  empty,  whilst  all  sorts  of  little  things  I 
had  known  so  long,  crept  out  and  stole  away  into  the 
desert.  I  was  just  a  husk,  with  no  more  impatience 
or  quick  temper  or  restlessness,  and  I  can  remember 
wondering  if  I  were  likely  to  break  in  two  or  crumble 
into  dust,  I  felt  so  thin.  And  then  I  heard  all  sorts 
of  whisperings,  just  as  though  thousands  of  people 
were  standing  near  me,  trying  to  make  me  understand 
something,  and  a  violet  shadow  suddenly  appeared  be- 
tween Hahmed  and  myself,  seeming  to  get  deeper  and 
deeper  in  colour,  and  then  get  less  and  less;  and  as 
it  lessened,  so  did  my  feeling  of  being  a  mere  husk 
leave  me,  until  at  last,  when  it  had  all  gone,  I  felt  — 
well  full  is  the  only  way  to  put  it,  and  my  heart  was 
thudding,  and  the  blood  pounding  in  my  head,  and  well 
—  that's  all !  " 

Very  indefinite  and  very  unsatisfactory,  and  of  which 
the  whispering  can  easily  be  put  down  to  the  snuffling  of 
the  camels,  the  passing  of  the  faint  breeze,  or  the  intake 
of  the  Arab's  breath ;  and  the  purple  shadows  to  the 
folds  of  his  black  cloak.  For  the  effect  of  fatigue,  ex- 
citement, and  strong  Egyptian  coffee  upon  the  mind  of 
%  Western  maid  is  quite  likely  to  turn  the  buzzing  of  a 


90  DESERT  LOVE 

fly  into  the  flight  of  an  aeroplane,  or  the  dripping  of  a 
tap  into  the  roar  of  a  Niagara. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  the  Arab  made  no  sound  or  move- 
ment when  with  a  low  cry  the  girl  sprung  suddenly  to 
her  feet,  and  with  both  hands  upraised,  although  she 
knew  it  not,  turned  towards  the  direction  in  which 
Mecca  lay. 

For  a  full  minute  she  stood  absolutely  motionlesa, 
then  gently  moving  towards  the  man,  who  had  riser; 
and  was  standing  behind  her,  she  put  out  her  hand, 
saying  softly,  "  Behold !  I  am  ready  to  come  witk 
the*." 


CHAPTER  XVI 

IT  was  close  upon  dawn  when  the  two  figures  sud- 
denly and  silently  emerged  from  the  tree  shadows  in 
which  they  had  been  hiding  for  some  considerable  time. 

Very  simple  and  harmless  they  looked  too,  the  taller 
one  in  spotless  galabeah  and  red  fez,  his  smallpox 
pitted  face  softened  by  the  light  of  the  dying  moon; 
the  other,  a  mere  bundle  of  clothes  with  the  yashmak 
covering  all  except  the  eyes,  dragging  back  from  the 
hand  which  pulled  her  ruthlessly  up  to  the  door  of  a 
house  conspicuous  by  its  length  of  wall  unbroken  by 
windows. 

The  faintest  sound  of  music  from  somewhere  about 
the  immense  building  sounded  as  out  of  place  at  that 
hour  as  would  a  boy's  shrill  whistling  in  the  middle 
of  High  Mass,  but  unperturbed  thereby,  the  pitted-face 
man  knocked  gently  three  times  upon  the  door,  vehe- 
mently upbraiding  the  while  his  shrinking  and  protest- 
ing companion,  who  tugged  still  more  forcibly  at  the 
restraining  hand. 

"  Behold,  art  thou  the  daughter  of  ungrateful  parents 
and  not  fit  to  be  honoured  by  the  great  lord  who  awaits 
thee.  Raise  thy  voice  in  protest,  speak  but  one  word, 
and  thy  back  shall  resemble  the  red  pattern  upon  thy 
raiment,  which  has  cost  much  hard  toil  to  provide  for 
thee." 

The  female  figure  suddenly  sank  back  in  all  humility 

91 


92  DESERT  LOVE 

at  the  feet  of  the  upbraider,  as  unperceived  —  maybe  — 
by  both,  a  small  portion  of  the  door  above  their  heads 
slipped  noiselessly  back  to  show  a  gleaming  eye  glued 
to  the  little  grille,  taking  in  the  scene  beneath  it. 

Unperceived  or  not,  the  elder  man,  taking  a  deep 
breath,  continued  in  a  slightly  raised  tone  to  adminis- 
ter his  admonition. 

"  Comely  art  thou,  and  young,  and  good  is  the  price 
paid  for  thee,  and  may  he  who  has  purchased  thee  be 
not  annoyed  at  the  hour  in  which  I  bring  thee,  for  in 
truth  was  thy  mother  against  thy  flight  from  the  nest, 
being  not  awake  to  the  advantages  of  the  new  bough 
upon  which  thou  wouldst  come  to  rest  —  therefore  was 
I  forced  to  bring  thee  by  stealth.  Perchance !  " 

The  gentle  voice  stopped  suddenly  as  the  door  was 
thrown  open  by  a  much  armed  individual,  who  angrily 
demanded  the  meaning  of  the  disturbance. 

"  The  peace  of  Allah  be  upon  thee  and  upon  this 
house,  into  which,  by  the  order  of  thy  master,  O ! 
brother,  I  bring  a  flower  which  he  has  deigned  to  pluck 
from  within  the  city.  Comely  is  she,  and  gifted  in 
music  and  the  dance,  but  young,  is  affrighted  at  the 
honour  before  her.  I " 

Here  the  armed  individual  broke  in  ruthlessly  upon 
the  paean  of  praise,  drawing  a  most  gleaming  and 
curved  weapon  from  somewhere  about  his  huge  person. 

"  Begone,  disturbers  of  the  peace,"  he  ejaculated  with 
the  difficulty  natural  to  one  who  has  had  his  tongue 
split.  "  My  master  awaits  a  flower  in  truth,  being  even 
now  overcome  in  sleep  in  the  waiting,  but  the  flower 
will  show  a  warrant  the  which  will  pass  her  through 
this  door  of  which  I  am  the  guardian.  By  Allah !  it  is 


DESERT  LOVE  93 

not  opened  at  the  tapping  of  every  chance  weed  which 
the  wind  of  poverty  may  cause  to  flutter  across  this 
path!" 

Things  began  to  look  somewhat  awkward  for  the 
humble  flower  wilting  on  the  marble  step,  until  her 
friend,  speaking  suddenly  and  sharply,  saved  the  situa- 
tion by  leaning  down  and  quite  violently  snatching 
something  from  the  little  hand  fumbling  most  awk- 
wardly among  the  many  feminine  draperies. 

"  Behold  the  warrant,  O !  unbeliever.  So  desirous 
of  this  maiden  is  thy  master,  upon  whom  may  the  bless- 
ing of  Allah  rest,  that  he  even  gave  unto  her  father  the 
ring  of  emerald  from  off  his  right  hand.  Art  satisfied, 
or  is't  best  to  risk  the  tempest  by  still  further  question- 
ing and  delay!  " 

The  guardian  of  the  door,  not  a  little  astounded, 
snatched  in  his  turn  at  the  jewel,  and  seeming  perfectly 
satisfied  after  a  prolonged  scrutiny,  stood  aside  and  mo- 
tioned the  two  to  enter,  and  shutting  the  door  behind 
them  and  ordering  them  to  stand  where  they  were 
until  he  returned  from  his  dangerous  mission  of  dis- 
obeying, by  breaking  in  upon  his  master's  privacy, 
stalked  off  with  much  dignity  into  the-  perfumed,  half- 
lit,  enormous  hall. 

Now  if  only  he  had  been  afflicted  with  one  iota  of 
the  curiosity  apportioned  by  time  to  Lot's  wife,  that 
man  might  have  been  alive  even  to  this  day.  But  he 
neither  turned  his  head  nor  pricked  his  ears,  thereby 
failing  to  note  that  with  the  lightning  methods  of  the 
eel  the  comely  flower  had  in  some  miraculous  way 
slipped  from  her  all  enveloping  sheath  of  draperies  to 
stand  revealed  a  wiry,  glistening-with-oil  youth,  who, 


94  DESERT  LOVE 

without  a  moment's  pause,  with  knife  in  teeth,  and  as 
silently  as  a  lizard,  glided  across  the  dividing  yards  of 
Persian  carpet  separating  him  from  his  quarry. 

Across  the  hall  and  through  endless  deserted  rooms 
they  passed,  the  companion  of  the  camouflage  maiden 
bringing  up  the  rear.  Right  to  the  far  quarter  of  the 
house  they  went,  one  after  the  other,  and  the  guardian 
of  the  house  felt  little  more  than  a  pin-prick  when, 
just  as  his  hand  pulled  aside  the  curtain  screening  a 
door,  the  youth  behind  him  raising  his  right  arm  drove 
the  knife  clean  under  the  left  shoulder  blade,  catching 
the  dead  body  as  it  fell  backwards  to  lay  it  noiselessly 
upon  the  floor  just  as  his  friend  appeared  upon  the 
scene. 

"  It  was  well  done,  O !  brother  —  neatly,  and  with 
strength  —  leaving  no  trace  of  blood  to  speak  of.  But 
now  must  we  proceed  with  cunning,  else  may  we  too  be 
lying  lifeless  upon  our  backs.  Take  even  thy  knife, 
my  brother,  'twere  a  pity  to  leave  it  in  yon  carcase !  " 

Indifferently  turning  the  body  over,  the  boy  drew  the 
knife,  as  indifferently  wiping  it  on  the  dead  man's  rai- 
ment, and  stood  for  a  moment  as  still  as  any  one  of 
the  exotic  specimens  of  statuary  which  ornamented  the 
whole  house. 

Truly  and  implicitly  had  the  orders  of  the  master 
been  obeyed;  there  was  no  sound  of  any  living  thing 
in  or  near  the  place,  so  that  after  a  few  whispered 
words  the  curtain  was  gently  pulled  back  and  the  door 
opened  just  as  gently  inch  by  inch. 

For  a  long  minute  the  two  men  peered  in  through  the 
crack,  their  eyes  searching  swiftly  for  sign  of  him  whom 
they  searched. 


DESERT  LOVE  95 

Unavailing  at  first,  until  with  a  motion  of  the  head 
the  younger  one  pointed. 

"  Look !     Yonder  he  sleeps !  " 

The  room  was  still  brilliantly  lighted  by  the  many 
lamps  hanging  from  the  ceilings  and  the  walls,  but  the 
shadow  of  the  great  mass  of  growing  plants  fell  upon 
the  divan  upon  which  Jill  had  sat  some  few  hours  ago. 

Inch  by  inch  the  door  was  opened,  until  it  was  wide 
enough  to  allow  the  dusky  slender  body  of  the  boy  to 
slip  in.  Round  the  wall  he  slid,  his  eyes  a-glisten,  and 
the  knife  fast  held  between  his  teeth;  then  down  upon 
his  hands  and  knees  he  sank  to  crawl  as  quietly  as  a  cat 
up  to  the  back  of  the  flowering  plants.  And  then  he 
quite  suddenly  sprang  to  his  feet,  beckoning  to  his  com- 
panion, who  sped  straight  across  the  room,  knife  in 
hand. 

"Behold!  O!  brother!" 

And  a  world  of  disappointment  rang  in  the  whispered 
words  as  the  youth  pointed  disgustedly  to  the  picture 
before  him. 

Very  peacefully  lay  the  man  whose  name  had  been  a 
byword  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  whose  delight  had 
been  in  the  moral  and  physical  terrors  of  women. 

His  eyes  were  closed  and  his  mouth  slightly  open, 
showing  the  white  teeth ;  the  hands  were  gently  clasped, 
but  over  the  spot  where  should  have  been  his  heart,  and 
on  the  silken  coverings  of  the  cushions,  spread  a  great 
crimson  patch  of  blood,  whilst  at  his  feet,  lying  prone 
across  the  couch,  was  the  body  of  a  girl.  Her  eyes 
were  open,  and  a  little  smile  widened  the  beautiful 
mouth,  but  from  the  spot  above  the  heart  which  had 
so  unwisely  and  so  well  loved,  glittered  the  jewelled 


96  DESERT  LOVE 

hilt  of  a  dagger.  One  hand  touched  the  hem  of  her 
master's  coat,  but  what  the  bastinado  had  left  of  the 
little  feet  seemed  to  shriek  aloud  for  vengeance,  venge- 
ance for  the  dead  child,  and  vengeance  for  all  those  who 
had  likewise  suffered. 

"  Allah !  Allah !  "  The  cry  cleft  the  stillness  of  the 
room  as  the  boy's  eyes  fell  upon  the  terrible  sight ;  and 
the  knife  flashed  twice  and  thrice,  and  yet  again,  until 
the  evil  beauty  of  the  dead  man's  face  had  been  entirely, 
obliterated,  and  a  strong  hand  gripped  the  supple  wrist. 

"  Come,  O !  brother !  Waste  not  thy  strength  upon 
the  dead.  Behold !  Yon  little  maid  has  carried  out 
our  master's  wish,  may  she  rest  in  the  delights  of  para- 
dise with  the  beloved  of  Allah  whose  prophet  is  Mo- 
hammed, and  may  the  spirit  of  him  who  is  accursed  en- 
ter into  the  body  of  a  pig  to  live  eternally  in  filth  and 
dishonour !  " 

And  the  sun  had  risen  upon  a  cleaner  day  when  the 
twain  departed  from  the  house  of  shadows. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

IT  was  close  upon  dawn  when  to  Jill's  ears  was  borne 
a  faint  melodious  sou^d. 

Inexpressibly  weary  was  she,  exhausted  to  the  point 
of  fainting,  for  in  spite  of  numerous  haltings,  the 
drinking  of  tea,  coffee,  and  sherbet,  and  the  eating 
of  cakes  and  curious  Egyptian  sweetmeats,  had  in  no 
way  lessened  the  agony  of  her  lower  limba,  which  she 
moved  this  way  and  that  in  the  vain  effort  to  relieve 
the  terrible  cramp  that  seemed  to  creep  from  her  spine 
to  her  brain,  and  down  again  to  her  feet. 

The  stars  danced  before  and  around  her,  as  she 
swayed  to  and  fro  to  the  deadly  lurching  rhythm  of 
the  camel's  pace;  one  thing,  and  one  thing  only,  hav- 
ing so  far  saved  her  from  the  utter  dissolution  of  fa- 
tigue, and  that  being  when,  urged  by  their  master's 
voice,  the  three  animals  had  broken  into  a  gentle  trot, 
ending  in  a  pace  which  literally  took  away  the  girl's 
breath;  but  even  that  relaxation  had  had  to  be  aban- 
doned as  the  nature  of  the  ground  changed. 

Most  people's  conception  of  the  desert  is  that  of  one 
huge  expanse  of  smooth  sand,  with  here  and  there  a 
palm  tree  to  break  the  monotony;  an  entirely  wrong 
conception,  bred  partly,  I  think,  from  the  highly  col- 
oured scriptural  pictures  of  our  youth. 

There  are  tracts  of  sand  extending  for  many  miles. 

such  as  those  around  big  cities  into  which  you  wander 

on 


98  DESEKT  LOVE 

on  camel-back  at  so  much  an  hour,  and  with  the  de- 
scription of  which  you  hold  jour  less  travelled  neigh- 
bours enthralled,  as  you  intersperse  the  munching  of 
muffins  with  the  words  "  dragoman,"  "  backsheesh," 
and  "  Cheops." 

But  even  on  a  week  or  ten  days  of  genuine  travelling 
you  are  likely  to  pass  through  and  over  a  variety  of 
grounds,  from  hard  gravel  which  is  delightful  for  tent- 
pitching,  ground  covered  with  a  liberal  supply  of  rocks, 
under  which  lurks  the  festive  scorpion,  great  mounds 
of  limestone  which  in  the  desert  take  on  the  propor- 
tions of  mountains,  marks  of  long-dried  pools  left  by 
long-dried  torrents,  defiles  almost  as  narrow  as  the  cam- 
el's scriptural  needle,  and  in  places,  an  earth,  the  curi- 
ous marking  of  which  will  almost  lead  you  to  believe 
that  it  is  cloud-shadowed,  if  the  heat  of  your  head, 
the  state  of  your  throat,  and  the  lamentable  leathery 
appearance  of  your  skin  did  not  tell  you  that  for  months 
no  such  thing  as  a  cloud  had  been  known  to  appear  in 
the  blazing  heavens. 

At  the  first  faint,  flute-like  note  Jill  thought  that  she 
must  have  awakened  from  sleep  or  delirium,  and,  it 
must  be  confessed,  really  did  not  care  which  was  the 
solution  of  the  mystery;  sinking  back  into  a  state  of 
apathy  so  exhausted  was  she,  until  the  three  camels 
came  to  a  standstill,  and  the  Arab,  with  something  that 
looked  like  a  dark  cloak  across  his  arm,  drew  his  beast 
alongside  of  hers. 

"  Behold,  woman,  the  hour  of  ISTamaz  is  at  hand, 
when  throughout  the  land  the  Muezzin  is  called,  for 
it  is  the  hour  of  dawn.  The  hour  when  the  curtains 
of  heaven  are  drawn  about  the  stars,  so  that  they  ma/ 


DESERT  LOVE  99 

not  be  blinded  by  the  glory  of  their  golden  master, 
as  I  shall  draw  this  cloak  about  the  fairness  of  your 
sweet  face,  and  the  outline  of  your  gracious  figure, 
which  Allah  in  his  bounty  has  placed  within  my  un- 
worthy hands,  to  hide  them  from  the  eyes  of  the  high- 
born, and  the  eyes  of  the  low-born,  such  as  yonder 
slave  who,  though  he  be  the  sweetest  maker  of  music 
in  all  Egypt,  is  but  my  head  camel  tender,  though 
before  Allah  who  is  God,  his  worth  as  such  could  not 
be  purchased  for  the  price  of  rubies. 

"  And  now  shall  your  weary  form  rest  a  while,  while 
I  give  praise  to  Allah,  whose  prophet  is  Mohammed." 

Grumbling,  the  three  animals  subsided. 

"  Is  all  well  with  you  ?  " 

The  girl  nodded  as  she  stumbled  from  her  seat  and 
stretched  herself  full  length  upon  the  sands,  the  con- 
vulsive twitching  of  her  cramped  limbs  giving  way  at 
last  to  the  peace  of  oblivion. 

"  Will  you  forgive  me  if  I  leave  you  in  your  stress, 
for  behold,  the  hour  of  Namaz  waits  neither  for  weari- 
ness or  joy,  nay,  nor  even  death." 

But  Jill  heard  nothing,  neither  his  light  footfall  as 
he  moved  some  yards  from  the  unclean  Christian  whom 
he  loved,  and  placing  his  prayer-rug  upon  the  ground 
turned  towards  Mecca,  which  in  Islam  is  called  Keblah, 
which,  being  translated,  means  "  centre " ;  nor  the 
splashing  of  water  as  he  washed  three  times  his  nos- 
trils,  his  mouth,  and  hands  and  arms  to  the  elbow,  the 
right  first  as  ordained,  then  head  and  neck,  and  ears 
once  and  feet  once,  whilst  murmuring  a  prescribed 
form  of  words,  these  words  being  repeated  in  different 
positions,  standing  erect  or  sitting,  with  inclinations 


100  DESERT  LOVE 

of  the  head  and  body,  and  prostrations  in  which  the 
Arab  in  all  humility  touched  the  ground  with  his  fore- 
head. 

For  Hahmed  was  a  true  Mohammedan,  carrying  out 
the  precepts  of  his  religion  as  laid  down  by  the  Koran 
as  fully  and  conscientiously  as  is  within  the  power  of 
man.  But,  you  will  say,  he  was  voluntarily  consort- 
ing with  a  Christian,  who,  by  the  edicts  of  the  Koran, 
is  considered  unclean,  inviting  pollution  by  touching 
the  bare  skin  of  her  hands  and  feet. 

True!  but  the  man  was  no  evil  liver,  picking  up  to 
throw  away,  buying  to  regret  the  purchase  within  the 
hour,  attracted  by  this  pretty  face  or  that  lovely  form. 
Nay.  He  loved  the  girl  as  it  is  unhappily  given  on 
this  earth  for  but  few  women  to  be  so  loved,  and  with 
all  the  strength  of  his  will  he  intended  the  outcome 
of  this  love  to  be  one  more  triumph  to  the  glory  of 
Allah. 

As  for  the  pollution  of  her  satin  skin,  did  he  not 
murmur  the  prayer  of  purification  when  in  contact  with 
it? 

Neither  did  Jill  notice  that  the  man,  his  purification 
and  his  prayers  ended,  had  come  Over  to  her,  standing 
gazing  down  at  the  almost  tragic  picture  she  made  out- 
stretched on  the  sands. 

Her  death-white  face  was  buried  in  the  curve  of  one 
folded  arm,  the  other,  flung  out,  lay  with  the  palm  of 
the  hand  uppermost.  The  little  feet  were  crossed  un- 
der the  crumpled  skirt,  from  which  peeped  the  folds 
of  her  last  white  silk  petticoat. 

"  Poor  little  bird,"  he  murmured,  as  the  sense  of 
mastership  rose  strong  within  him  at  the  sight  of  the 


DESERT  LOVE  101 

helpless  child  at  his  feet.  "  So  weary,  so  beautiful, 
and  so  young.  Behold,  shall  a  nest  be  built  for  thee 
in  which  thou  shalt  rest,  shaking  off  the  plumage  harmed 
in  thy  short  passage  through  life,  to  appear  at  last 
more  beautiful  than  the  most  glorious  bird  in  Para- 
dise," and  bending  he  touched  her  gently. 

But  Jill,  who  had  had  no  real  sleep  since  she  had 
left  the  boat,  had  passed  at  last  into  an  almost  coma- 
tose condition,  from  which  it  was  doubtful  she  could 
have  been  awakened,  even  at  the  sound  of  Israfil's 
Trumpet.1 

Crossing  to  the  camels  Hahmed  considerably  length- 
ened the  lead,  and  attaching  the  camels  Taffadaln  and 
Howesha  one  on  each  side  of  his  own,  he  bade  the  two 
former  rise,  which  they  did  with  alacrity,  leading  one 
to  believe  that  they  heard  the  flute-like  music  calling 
them  to  the  cool  of  the  palm  tree's  shade,  the  doubtful 
bucket  of  water,  and  the  certain  repast,  terminating 
with  a  handful  of  luscious  dates. 

Stooping,  the  man  raised  the  unconscious  girl  from 
the  ground,  holding  her  as  lightly  as  a  feather  on  one 
arm,  and  draping  the  dark  cloak  around  her  so  as  to 
cover  the  red-gold  hair,  drew  a  corner  across  the  face. 

Perhaps  some  may  enjoy  restraining  the  vagaries 
of  a  lead  horse,  which  sees  fit  to  proceed  sideways  at 
the  encounter  of  anything  in  motion  on  the  road,  or 
execute  a  pas  seul  on  the  hind  legs  at  the  flutter  of  a 
leaf,  without  referring  to  what  happens  if  a  white 
paper-bag  should  attract  the  nervous  eye. 

But  it  is  mere  child's  play  compared  with  the  leading, 

i  In  Islamism  there  are  four  angels  particularly  favoured  by 
Allah,  who  is  God.  Israfil  is  the  name  of  one  whose  office  will  be 
to  sound  the  trumpet  at  the  Resurrection. 


102  DESEKT  LOVE 

under  certain  circumstances,  of  one  or  more  self-willed, 
obstinate,  vain-glorious  camels. 

Seated  across  his  black  camel  the  Arab  drew  the 
girl's  head  against  his  shoulder,  holding  her  gently  but 
firmly  in  his  left  arm. 

A  word,  and  the  camel  pitching  and  tossing  finally 
acquired  an  upright  position.  Things  went  well  for 
a  score  or  so  of  yards,  the  three  animals  proceeding 
at  a  stately  demure  pace,  until  verily  the  devil  entered 
into  Taffadaln. 

Suddenly  she  rushed  sideways,  then  with  front  legs 
wide  apart  came  to  a  dead  stop,  jerking  the  black  camel 
violently. 

"  Thou  awkward  descendant  of  clumsy  parents,  what 
aileth  thee  ? "  exclaimed  her  master,  as  Jill's  head 
bumped  violently  against  his  shoulder.  "  Take  heed 
to  my  words.  Enjoy  this  thy  last  ride  through  the 
glory  of  the  desert,  for  verily  at  the  end  shalt  thou, 
between  the  periods  of  bearing  young,  be  put  to  the 
lowest  tasks  apportioned  to  the  lowest  of  thy  species." 

Whereupon  Taffadaln  turned  solemnly  towards  the 
speaker,  and  lifting  her  upper  lip  laughed,  and  with 
no  more  ado  faced  towards  the  palm  trees,  which  to 
desert-trained  eyes  showed  faintly  some  miles  away, 
took  two  steps  forward,  humped  herself  together,  col- 
lapsed on  the  ground,  and  stretching  out  her  neck,  half- 
closed  her  eyes. 

Imagine  the  helplessness  of  her  master,  seated  so 
high  upon  his  camel  as  to  render  useless  any  chastise- 
ment with  the  courbaash,  which  whip  applied  deftly  to 
certain  less  tough  portions  of  the  camel's  body  will 
usually  bring  the  brute  to  reason,  if  he  who  wields  the 


DESERT  LOVE  103 

whip  cares  to  risk  the  accumulation  of  revenge  which 
the  punishment  will  infallibly  store  up  in  the  camel's 
brain.  A  veritable  storm  of  anger  raged  in  the  man 
as  he  looked  down  upon  the  girl  lying  peacefully  in 
his  arms  in  a  sleep  which  even  the  camel's  uncouth 
procedure  could  not  disturb. 

Once  more  groaning  bitterly  his  camel  and  Howesha 
grounded,  which  latter  word  describes  best,  in  con- 
densed form,  the  camel's  method  of  lying  down. 

Out  of  one  corner  of  her  half-shut,  insolent  eye,  the 
beautiful  Taffadaln  watched  proceedings,  and  just  as 
her  master,  holding  Jill  gently  in  his  arms,  was  slip- 
ping from  the  saddle,  with  a  positively  fiendish  squeal 
of  triumph,  and  one  gigantic  effort  which  beat  any 
record  for  swiftness  established  in  any  camel's  family 
history,  she  rose  suddenly,  and  rushing  forward  once 
more  to  the  end  of  her  lead,  caused  the  black  camel 
to  fall  sideways  and  the  dismounting  man  to  stumble, 
and  in  order  to  save  her,  to  place  Jill  with  distinct 
vigour  upon  the  sand. 

Not  one  syllable  did  he  utter,  not  one  line  appeared 
on  the  perfectly  calm  face,  as  he  raised  the  girl  and 
carried  her  further  from  the  camels,  where  she  lay  as 
still  as  though  the  angel  Azrael 1  had  separated  her 
soul  from  her  body. 

Walking  to  Taffadaln  he  stood  for  some  minutes  ab- 
solutely motionless  in  contemplation,  whilst  the  object 
of  his  thoughts,  blissfully  ignorant  of  what  was  in  store, 
and  because  it  suited  her  mood  of  the  moment,  came 
meekly  to  ground  on  the  word  of  command. 

i  Azrael  —  Angel  of  Death. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

I  AM  sure  that  those  who  read  the  following  and  know 
the  East  will  say  that  I  exaggerate,  that  under  no  cir- 
cumstances or  stress  of  emotion  would  an  Arab  so 
treat  a  camel,  especially  the  most  perfect  of  her  species. 

But  against  this  wish  to  hurt  must  be  weighed  the 
love  that  consumed  the  man,  a  love  mighty  and  sudden, 
and  for  the  advent  of  which,  and  the  enjoyment  thereof, 
he  had  trained  himself  from  his  youth,  abstaining  from 
aught  which  might  cause  his  perfect  body  to  deteriorate, 
and  all  that  which  by  satisfying  the  senses  might  dull 
his  mind.  A  love,  in  fact,  which,  stronger  than  the 
wind  of  the  hurricane,  swifter  than  the  raging  torrent, 
swept  all  before  it. 

The  Arab's  love  for  his  camel  is  a  love  of  gratitude, 
for  does  not  the  Koran  say,  "  And  hath  also  provided 
you  with  tents  and  the  skin  of  cattle,  which  ye  find  light 
to  be  removed  on  the  day  of  your  departure,  and  easy 
to  be  pitched  on  the  day  of  your  sitting  down  therein, 
and  of  their  wool,  and  their  fur,  and  of  their  hair,  hath 
he  supplied  you  with  furniture  and  household  stuff  for 
a  season."  His  love  for  his  horse  is  a  love  of  delight  in 
her  beauty,  and  her  endurance  and  her  swiftness,  caus- 
ing the  master  even  at  the  point  of  death  in  battle  to 
pour  forth  the  praises  of  his  mare,  and  with  his  last 
breath  call  aloud  her  pedigree  to  the  lucky  person  to 

whom  she  falls  as  booty. 

104 


DESERT  LOVE  105 

But  once  let  an  Arab  love  a  woman  with  the  love 
which  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  arranged  marriage 
of  his  early  youth,  or  his  attraction  to  some  beautiful 
face  which  causes  him  to  take  the  possessor  thereof  to 
wife,  of  which  Allah  in  his  bounty  allows  him  four,  or 
his  desire  for  some  one  of  his  concubines,  to  the  num- 
ber of  which  there  is  no  limit ;  then  I  say  will  the  love 
of  sons,  love  of  beast,  and  thought  for  all  save  his  reli- 
gion, go  down  before  it  as  a  young  tree  before  the 
storm. 

Hahmed  the  Arab  loved  the  English  girl  with  just 
such  a  love,  also  had  she  been  hurt  through  the  brutish 
manners  of  the  animal,  who  had  been  expressly  chosen 
for  the  honour  of  carrying  her,  therefore  his  love  for 
his  camel  had  turned  to  seething  hate,  and  when  that 
happens  in  the  East,  it  is  time  to  remove  thyself,  and 
that  hastily. 

Unfastening  the  lead  from  the  pack  camel,  the  man 
knotted  it  firmly  to  the  back  of  her  flat  saddle,  which 
usually  makes  the  foundation  for  the  animal's  burden, 
then  urging  her  to  her  feet  led  her  in  front  of  Taffadaln, 
who,  a  little  at  sea  as  to  the  proceedings,  was  marking 
time  with  her  head.  The  same  thing  happened  to  the 
black  animal,  and  then  with  a  swiftness  which  thor- 
oughly befogged  the  small  brain  of  all  this  trouble,  the 
leathered  thong  across  her  soft  muzzle  was  tightened 
to  the  verge  of  cruelty,  and  the  reins  twisted  twice  round 
the  back  of  the  head,  and  then  knotted  to  the  leading 
reins  fastened  to  the  saddlebacks  of  her  two  inferior 
sisters. 

"  Thus  will  I  show  thee  who  is  master,  O !  shrew !  " 
observed  her  master,  as  he  surveyed  his  handiwork. 


106  DESERT  LOVE 

"  Thou  wilt  not  walk,  then  shall  thy  sisters  force  thee 
to  run;  thou  wilt  lie  down,  then  shall  they  drag  thee 
until  thy  mouth  runs  blood. 

"  Behold  hast  thou  brought  misery  to  thy  fair  mis- 
tress, O!  curse  of  camels,  and  for  each  moment  that 
thou  shalt  have  lost  unto  her  the  shade  of  the  palm 
tree,  for  each  moment  shalt  thou  shed  a  drop  of  blood." 

Howseha  of  her  own  free  will  scrambled  to  her  feet, 
whilst  the  Arab  raised  the  girl,  who,  sunk  in  a  sleep 
resembling  unconsciousness,  took  no  heed  of  these  un- 
toward events,  and  placing  her  so  that  her  head  lay 
softly  against  his  shoulder,  mounted  his  camel  and 
brought  the  animal  to  her  feet. 

The  forcing  to  their  feet  of  three  camels  by  voice 
persuasion  alone  is  no  mean  performance,  but  no  voice, 
not  even  the  vocal  chords  of  the  Archangel  Gabriel, 
would  have  moved  the  cause  of  all  this  pother,  for  at 
the  word  of  command,  in  a  tone  which  should  have  put 
fear  of  death  into  her  black  heart,  she  slightly  shifted 
her  hind-quarters  and  lay  still. 

"  So  thou  wilt  not  move,  thou  daughter  of  a  desert 
snail !  Verily  then  shalt  thou  so  remain !  " 

A  sharp  word,  and  the  two  upstanding  camels  moved 
forward,  coming  to  a  standstill  as  they  felt  the  weight 
of  their  recumbent  sister.  There  was  then  heard  a 
sharp  swish,  as  the  courbaash  delicately  nicked  each 
astounded  quadruped,  astounded  indeed,  for  never  had 
they  felt  the  like  before,  and  be  it  confessed,  never  had 
their  master  been  possessed  of  such  a  fury. 

Simultaneously  they  bounded  forward,  if  so  one  can 
describe  their  action,  bringing  a  snarl  of  rage  from  the 
unrepentant  Desert  Pearl.  Straining  and  tugging, 


DESEKT  LOVE  107 

with  the  whip  constantly  flicking  and  stinging,  they 
slowly  dragged  Taffadaln  over  the  sand,  until  grad- 
ually the  agony  of  the  tightening  muzzle-thong  cut  not 
only  into  the  flesh,  but  into  the  very  soul  of  the  re- 
bellious camel  queen. 

Foam  began  to  gather  round  the  bruised  mouth, 
dripping  from  the  teeth  only  half  closed  by  the  leather 
strap ;  a  drop  of  blood  showed  red  near  the  corner,  cut 
by  the  cruel  knot,  sweat  poured  from  the  silky  coat  as 
again  and  again  she  vainly  tried  to  scramble  to  her 
feet,  whilst  the  eyes  of  her  master,  ablaze  with  hate, 
watched  her  futile  efforts. 

Suddenly  he  halted  the  animals,  and  sat  contemplat- 
ing the  beautiful  Taffandaln,  panting  and  moaning 
upon  the  sand. 

"  Get  up !  "  he  suddenly  cried,  with  a  ring  of  steel  in 
the  usually  soft  voice,  and  obediently  the  brute  scram- 
bled to  her  feet,  leaving  red  patches  where  had  rested 
her  mouth. 

"  Now  that  I  have  almost  broken  thy  neck,  will  I 
essay  to  break  thy  heart."  In  which  endeavour  the 
Arab  entirely  failed.1 

"  Thou  wouldst  halt,  therefore  shalt  thou  run !  " 

But  Taffadaln  was  no  fool,  no,  not  one  bit.  For  the 
first  few  yards,  as  her  sisters  raced  ahead,  she  hung 
back,  pulling  on  the  blood  covered  thong,  and  tearing 
her  tongue  between  her  vicious  teeth.  Faster,  and 
faster,  sped  the  forerunners,  and  how  fast  that  can  be 
may  only  be  understood  by  one  who  has  pressed  this 
swift  moving  animal's  pace.  Resisting  less  and  less, 

i  Having  four  times  successfully  foaled  a  she-camel,  Taffadaln, 
the  Glory  of  the  Desert,  was  ultimately  shot  on  account  of  b«r 
demoniacal  temper. 


108  DESERT  LOVE 

Taffadaln  raced  after,  until  the  agony  and  outrage  of 
the  proceedings  suddenly  drove  her  mad,  and  also  to 
her  fastest  speed,  until  with  a  positive  shriek  of  hate 
she  rushed  upon  the  pack  camel,  regardless  of  the 
slackened  reins  which  were  like  to  trip  her  at  every 
step,  a  scream  of  agony  announcing  the  fact  that  the 
bloody  teeth  had  met  in  the  camel's  side.  "  Allah !  " 
ejaculated  Hahmed  as  again  and  again  he  struck  at  the 
animal's  infuriated  face,  when  she  turned  her  attention 
to  her  black  sister,  whom  she  had  the  full  intention  of 
savaging,  what  time  the  three  were  tearing  like  the 
wind  towards  those  palms  under  which  figures  in  white 
could  easily  be  discerned. 

Finding  she  was  unable  to  wreak  her  vengeance  with 
her  teeth,  her  crafty  brain  conceived  the  idea  of  harass- 
ing her  fleeing  companions,  to  whom  she  was  ignomini- 
ously  fastened. 

What  were  they  but  snails  in  speed  compared  to  her, 
and  if  she  could  not  pass  them  for  the  bonds  which 
held  her  captive,  she  could  at  least  urge  them  on  until 
they  dropped  from  exhaustion.  So  into  first  one  and 
then  the  other  she  bumped,  with  an  occasional  nip  at 
the  tails,  whilst  the  air  was  rent  with  agonising  shrieks, 
through  which  tumult  Jill  slept  sweetly  upon  the  man's 
heart,  until  at  last  they  raced  up  to  the  caravan. 

Many  camels  and  four  men  watched  the  arrival,  the 
former  grunting  and  groaning  as  they  scented  the  trou- 
ble, the  men  calling  upon  Allah  to  witness  the  madness 
which  had  befallen  their  master. 

At  the  sight  of  the  tents  and  the  men  who  had  tended 
them  from  birth,  Howesha  and  the  black  camel  stopped 
dead,  but  too  terrified  to  pay  heed  to  the  voice  that 


DESERT  LOVE  109 

bade  them  get  down,  stood  literally  shaking  with  fear, 
or  wheeling  sharply  to  dodge  the  gleaming  teeth  which 
seldom  failed  to  leave  their  mark,  until  Howesha,  in 
a  moment  of  absolute  terror,  twisted  and  met  her  teeth 
in  the  upper  portion  of  the  back  part  of  Taffadaln's 
hind-leg,  of  which  there  is  no  tenderer  part  in  the 
camel's  anatomy,  following  which  action  ensued  a 
pitched  battle. 

With  a  scream,  the  rage-filled  Taffadaln  flung  herself 
upon  the  two  camels  and  then  upon  her  master  and  she 
who  lay  in  his  arms  and  who  was  the  real  cause  of 
this  unseemly  fracas.  The  Arab,  essaying  to  hold  the 
cloak  around  the  girl,  so  as  to  save  her  from  the  in- 
sult of  a  man's  gaze,  struck  again  and  again  at  the 
mouth  which  tore  great  pieces  from  his  flowing  robes, 
the  girl's  covering,  and  chunks  of  hair  from  the  shriek- 
ing camel's  body. 

Blood  and  foam  covered  the  animal's  chest,  the  girl's 
cloak,  and  the  garments  of  the  men,  who,  on  account  of 
the  inextricable  knotting  of  the  leads  which  bound  the 
animals  one  to  another,  and  the  three  sets  of  teeth 
which  were  snapping  and  tearing  at  everything  within 
their  reach,  found  themselves  helpless  to  calm  the 
tumult. 

But  suddenly  there  was  peace,  just  as  Jill  opening 
her  eyes  murmured,  "What  a  dreadful  noise  the  sea 
is  making,"  and  closed  them  again.  For  the  maker 
of  sweet  music,  and  head-tender  of  camels,  had  grasped 
the  danger  to  his  beloved  master,  also  the  disaster  im- 
pending among  the  seething  herd,  who  were  all  upon 
their  feet  and  straining  at  their  tethers. 

Swiftly  divesting  himself  of  his  long,  white,  outer 


110  DESERT  LOVE 

garment,  he  waved  it  in  front  of  the  Glory  of  the  Desert, 
whose  price  was  above  rubies,  and  temper  a  direct  gift 
from  Eblis.1 

To  her  everlasting  undoing,  she  paused  for  one  mo- 
ment to  stretch  her  neck  at  length  and  eye  the  new 
menace.  A  fatal  delay  in  which  the  offending  object 
lighted  upon  and  around  her  head,  shutting  her  com- 
pletely into  outer  darkness,  whereupon  she  stood  like 
a  lamb  whilst  hobbles  were  placed  about  her  feet ;  after 
which  the  shade  was  lifted  slightly,  leaving  the  eyes 
covered,  whilst  the  blood-soaked  thong  was  cut  away 
from  the  torn  flesh,  and  a  kind  of  leather  cage  slipped 
over  the  muzzle,  which  would  certainly  prevent  her 
from  biting,  or  indulging  in  her  usual  wide  yawn  of 
indifference. 

The  covering  being  lifted  from  hei  eyes,  her  bonds 
were  undone,  and  herself  likened  by  the  maker  of  sweet 
music,  unto  all  that  the  Koran  calls  unclean,  even  unto 
the  vilest  of  the  vile,  the  pig,  into  the  company  of 
which  she  was  relegated  for  all  eternity.  She  was  then 
ordered  to  ground  in  a  manner  reminiscent  of  the  tones 
used  to  bazaar  dogs,  which  order  was  emphasised  with 
a  flick  of  the  courbaash  upon  a  part  which  had  known 
the  meeting  of  Howesha's  teeth. 

But  when  at  sunset  Jill  opened  her  eyes  all  sounds 
and  signs  of  battle  were  stilled. 

i  The  devil. 


CHAPTEK  XIX 

THE  sun  was  sinking  when  Jill  moved,  stretched  a 
little,  half  opened  her  eyes,  and  closing  them  turned 
over  and  went  to  sleep  again  for  about  two  minutes. 

Then  she  half  opened  her  eyes  again,  stretched  out 
her  hand  to  pull  uncomprehendingly  at  the  white  net- 
ting round  her  bed,  through  which  she  could  see  a 
blaze  of  red,  gold,  and  purple;  and  laughing  in  the 
vacant  manner  of  the  delirious,  or  those  but  half- 
awake,  tried  to  collect  her  thoughts  sufficiently  to  ex- 
plain the  strangeness  of  her  surroundings,  sitting  up 
with  a  jerk  as  the  doings  of  the  last  twenty-four  hours 
suddenly  stirred  in  her  awakened  mind. 

Wide-eyed  she  sat  with  her  hands  clasped  round  her 
knees,  whilst  the  deadly  stillness  seemed  to  rise  as  a 
wall  around  her,  cutting  her  off  from  laughter,  love, 
and  life,  until  wild  unreasoning  fear,  seizing  her  very 
soul,  caused  her  to  tear  and  rend  the  mosquito  nets,  and 
force  a  way  through  them  and  out  of  the  tent. 

For  a  while  she  stood  holding  to  the  tent  rope,  look- 
ing this  way  and  that  for  the  sign  of  some  living  thing. 
Before  her  stretched  one  vast  plain  of  gravel,  miles 
upon  miles  of  it  receding  into  nothingness,  on  each  side 
the  same,  behind  her  tent  above,  the  palm  trees  wav- 
ing gently  in  the  evening  breeze,  and  above  again,  a 
sky  such  as  is  to  be  seen  only  in  this  part  of  the  world, 
for  travel  you  ever  so  widely,  you  will  find  nothing  to 
rival  a  desert  sunset  in  its  design  and  colour. 

HI 


112  DESERT  LOVE 

Above  her  head  seemed  to  be  stretched  a  canopy, 
made  by  some  Eastern  magic,  of  a  mixture  of  colours 
woven  by  the  hands  of  Love  and  Hate,  Passion  and 
Revenge,  underneath  which  she  stood  disheartened,  di- 
shevelled, in  crumpled  clothes  and  shoeless  feet,  with 
fear-distended  eyes  in  a  fatigue-shadowed  face,  search- 
ing vainly  for  something  alive  and  near,  be  it  human, 
dog,  horse  or  camel. 

Owing  to  a  sudden  nervous  reaction  brought  about 
by  the  cessation  of  all  physical  and  mental  effort,  the 
girl's  power  of  reasoning  had  gone,  along  with  her  will, 
her  common  sense,  and  her  fearlessness. 

That  there  was  another  tent  beside  her  own  made 
no  more  impression  on  her  mind  than  the  fact  that  a 
slight  smoke  haze  softened  the  intense  blue  of  the 
sky  on  her  right. 

She  was  absolutely  terrified  and  ravenously  hungry, 
also  unwashed,  therefore  altogether  unhappy,  so  with 
no  more  ado  she  flung  out  her  arms,  and  with  a  great 
sob  rushed  headlong  into  that  which  frightened  her 
most,  the  unlimited,  uninhabited  desert. 

Her  shoeless  feet  made  hardly  a  sound  as  she  sped 
like  a  deer  from  the  desolation  she  imagined,  to  the 
certain  desolation  and  death  in  front  of  her,  but  she 
had  hardly  cut  her  little  feet  over  more  than  twenty 
yards  when  Hahmed,  the  swiftest  runner  in  Egypt, 
was  speeding  after  her. 

"  Allah !  Be  merciful  to  me !  For  behold,  I  fail  to 
keep  from  harm  that  which  Thou  hast  placed  in  my 
keeping,"  he  murmured,  as  he  ran  abreast  with  the 
girl  for  a  few  yards,  then  putting  his  arm  around  her 
lifted  her  off  her  feet,  holding  her  gently  to  him,  and 


DESERT  LOVE  113 

speaking  no  word  until  the  paroxysm  of  sobs  had  sub- 
sided. 

"  Where  to  fly  you,  O !  woman,  and  whyfore  are 
you  thus  afraid  ?  " 

"  I  was  simply  terrified.  I  —  I  —  thought  you  had 
left  me  all  alone  to  die,  and  I  just  ran  and  ran  to  find 
someone  or  something  else  beside  myself  in  the  desert," 
answered  a  voice,  muffled  by  the  snowy  garments  of  the 
man  who  held  her  so  gently  against  his  heavily  beating 
heart. 

"  I  will  take  you  back  to  your  tent,  to  the  bath  and 
repast  which  awaits  you.  I  dared  not  loosen  your  rai- 
ment without  your  permission,  so  having  removed  the 
shoes  from  off  your  feet,  laid  you  upon  your  bed,  but 
when  you  are  bathed,  I  pray  you  wrap  yourself  in  the 
soft  garments  you  will  find,  and  clapping  your  hands 
make  known  to  your  slave  that  you  are  ready  to  eat." 

"  Oh,  there  is  a  servant  to  wait  on  me.  I  thought 
we  were  quite  alone." 

"  I  am  your  slave,"  simply  replied  the  Arab,  as  he 
placed  Jill  upon  her  feet  in  front  of  her  tent,  where 
she  stood  with  her  hand  on  his  arm,  rooted  to  the  spot 
by  the  glory  of  the  sky,  whilst  the  man  gazed  down 
upon  her,  as  the  dying  sun  struck  the  gold  of  her  hair, 
the  blue  of  her  eyes,  and  the  cream  of  her  neck. 

"  You,  who  are  of  those  who  are  versed  in  music, 
and  of  those  who  can  make  poetry,  describe  that  glory 
to  me,"  imperiously  demanded  Jill,  after  a  moment  of 
silence,  with  that  suddenness  and  complete  change  of 
mood  which  falls  occasionally  upon  all  women,  caus- 
ing the  meek  to  scratch  like  cats,  and  the  strong  to  give 
in,  often  to  their  everlasting  undoing. 


114  DESERT  LOVE 

"  Bathe  the  white  body  of  thy  beloved  in  the  blue- 
green  of  Egypt's  river,  so  that  the  coolness  and  fair- 
ness may  give  delight  to  thee !  Drape  the  satin  veil 
of  deepest  blue  about  the  red  glory  of  thy  love's  hair, 
and  bind  a  band  of  gold,  set  deep  in  sapphires,  above 
the  twin  pools  of  heaven,  which  are  her  eyes.  Set 
turquoise,  threaded  with  finest  gold,  a-swing  in  the 
rose-leaf  of  her  ears,  to  fall  and  wind  about  the  snow 
of  her  white  neck. 

"  Fasten  the  blue  flower  which  spies  upon  thee  from 
the  shelter  of  the  golden  corn,  within  the  glory  of  her 
hair. 

"  Perfume  her  hair  and  her  breasts,  anoint  her  hands 
and  her  feet,  and  wrap  they  delight  in  a  garment  of  pas- 
sion, sparing  not  the  shades  therein,  for  in  them  shalt 
thou  find  thy  delight. 

"  Let  the  garment  be  heavy  with  the  gold  of  love, 
rich  with  the  purples  of  passion,  aflame  with  the  crim- 
son of  thy  desire,  forgetting  not  the  caress  of  the  rose, 
nor  the  light  mingling  of  opal  and  saffron,  and  the 
faint  touch  of  amethyst  and  topaz,  in  which  shall  she 
find  her  delight. 

"  Bind  thy  love  with  the  broad  bands  of  the  setting 
sun  so  that  she  cleaves  unto  thee,  and  carry  her  unto 
the  twilight  of  thy  tent,  which  shall  slowly  darken  un- 
til the  roof  thereof  is  swathed  in  purple  gloom,  through 
which  shall  shine  the  stars  of  thy  beloved. 

"  And  there  lie  down  in  thy  delight,  until  the  hour 
of  dawn  calleth  thee  to  prayer." 

The  voice  was  stilled,  whereupon  Jill  lifted  her  face 
bathed  in  rosy  colour,  which  might  or  might  not  have 
been  the  reflection  from  the  sky,  whilst  her  red  mouth 


DESERT  LOVE  115 

quivered  ever  so  slightly,  and  her  great  blue  eyes  looked 
for  a  moment  into  those  of  the  man,  and  as  quickly 
looked  away. 

So  seductive  was  she  in  her  youth  and  utter  helpless- 
ness that  the  man  stepped  back  two  paces,  and  saluting 
her  for  whom  his  whole  being  craved,  gathered  his  cloak 
about  him  and  departed  to  his  tent. 

And  Jill  also  entered  her  tent,  and  having  earlier 
and  under  the  lash  of  terror  departed  therefrom  in 
blind  haste,  stood  amazed. 

She  had  imagined  a  mattress,  a  rug,  an  earthenware 
basin  on  the  ground,  and  sand  over  everything,  and 
on  the  top  of  the  sand  scorpions,  spiders,  and  all  that 
creepeth  and  flieth  both  by  day  and  by  night.  Not 
at  all. 

A  carpet  of  many  colours  stretching  to  the  corners 
of  the  desert  tent,  which  is  not  peaked  like  the  Eu- 
ropean affair,  into  which  you  crawl  fearing  to  bring 
the  whole  concern  about  your  ears,  when  if  you  should 
be  over  tall  you  hit  the  top  with  your  head.  It  was 
as  big  as  a  fair-sized  room,  high  enough  for  a  man 
of  over  six  feet  to  stand  erect,  not  so  broad  as  long, 
with  sides  which  lifted  according  to  the  direction  of 
the  sun,  and  through  the  uplifted  portion  of  which  the 
faint  delicious  evening  breeze  blew  refreshingly.  A 
white  enamelled  bedstead  covered  in  finest,  whitest 
linen  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  carpet,  surrounded  by 
a  white  net  curtain  hanging  from  the  tent  ceiling,  each 
foot  in  a  broad  tin  of  water.  In  the  corners  were  a 
canvas  folding  dressing-table,  a  full  length  mirror,  a 
long  chair  and  a  smaller  one,  over  which  hung  diapha- 
nous garments  of  finest  muslin,  and  a  shimmering  wrap 


116  DESERT  LOVE 

of  pearl  white  satin,  and  through  a  half-drawn  curtain 
which  hung  across  the  narrower  end  of  the  tent,  the 
vision  of  a  big  canvas  bath  filled  with  water,  big  white 
towels,  and  another  canvas  table  upon  which  stood  all 
the  things  necessary  to  a  woman's  toilet. 

So  that  it  was  a  very  refreshed  Jill  who,  wrapped  in 
a  loose  Turkish  bath-gown,  with  little  feet  thrust  into 
heelless  slippers,  went  in  search  of  raiment.  And  won- 
derfully soft,  simple  things  she  found  into  which  she 
slipped,  and  out  of  which  she  slipped  again,  holding 
them  out  at  arm's  length  for  inspection,  then  burying 
her  face  in  the  soft  perfumed  folds  in  very  thankful- 
ness. 

And  she  laughed  a  delicious  little  laugh  of  pure  glee 
as  she  replaced  the  garments  on  the  chair,  and  slither- 
ing hither  and  thither  in  her  unaccustomed  footgear, 
tidied  the  tent  and  made  her  bed,  regarding  ruthfully 
the  torn  mosquito  curtain. 

"  Oh,  for  a  maid,"  she  sighed,  as  she  wrestled  with 
the  mattress,  and  *'  Oh,  for  dear  Babette,"  she  sighed 
again,  as  she  wrestled  with  the  masses  of  her  hair. 

And  the  tent  was  filled  with  a  blaze  of  light,  as, 
wrapped  in  her  bath-gown,  she  stood  in  front  of  the 
steel  mirror,  plaiting  and  unplaiting,  twisting  and  pin- 
ning her  hair,  until  with  an  exclamation  of  impatience 
she  let  it  all  down,  holding  great  strands  out  at  arm's 
length,  through  which  she  passed  the  comb  again  and 
again,  until  the  red-gold  mass  shone,  and  curled,  and 
rippled  about  her  like  a  cloak  of  satin. 

It  is  hopeless  to  try  and  describe  the  shining,  wav- 
ing masses  which  curled  round  her  knees,  and  fluttered 
in  tendrils  round  her  face,  and  it  would  have  been 


DESERT  LOVE  117 

hard  to  find  anything  anywhere  so  beautiful  as  Jill 
when,  clad  in  the  loose  silk  garment  and  soft  satin 
wrapper,  with  her  perfumed  hair  swirling  about  her, 
she  stood  entranced  at  the  opening  of  her  tent,  until 
the  sun  suddenly  disappearing  left  her  in  darkness, 
whereupon  she  clapped  her  hands  quickly. 


CHAPTER  XX 

JILL,  had  finished  the  first  of  many  evening  meals  she 
was  to  partake  of  in  the  desert,  and  was  lying  on  a 
heap  of  cushions  listening  to  the  clink  of  brass  coffee 
utensils  and  porcelain  cups,  whilst  sniffing  apprecia- 
tively the  aroma  of  Eastern  coffee  Easternly  made, 
which  is  totally  different  to  that  which  permeates  the 
dim  recesses  draped  with  tinselled  dusty  hangings,  and 
cluttered  with  Eastern  stools  and  tables  inlaid  with 
mother  o'  pearl  made  in  Birmingham,  in  the  ubiquitous 
Oriental  Cafe  at  which  we  meet  the  rest  of  us  at  eleven 
o'clock  on  Saturday  morning  at  the  seaside;  nor  does 
it  resemble  in  the  slightest  that  which  is  oilily  poured 
forth  in  London  town  by  the  fat,  oily,  so-called  "  Son 
of  the  Crescent  "  who,  wearing  fez  and  baggy  trousers, 
in  some  caravanserai  West,  Sou'-west  or  Nor'-west,  has 
unfailingly  been  chief  coffee-maker  to  the  late  Sultan, 
vide  anyway  the  hotel  advertisements. 

She  was  smiling  as  she  lay  stretched  full  length 
with  her  chin  in  her  palms,  thinking  of  the  me^l  just 
eaten.  Whilst  waiting  for  it  she  had  imagined  a  mess 
of  pottage  perhaps,  or  stewed  kid  as  piece  de  resistance, 
with  honey  or  manna  as  sweets,  and  a  savoury  of  fried 
locusts,  which  she,  with  many  others,  imagined  tr»  be 
the  all-devouring  insect.  She  knew  by  now,  and  re- 
turned thanks,  that  the  man  neither  ate  with  his  mouth 

open  nor  gave  precedence  to  his  fingers  and  teeth  over 

118 


DESERT  LOVE  119 

knives  and  forks,  but  in  her  wildest  dreams  she  had 
never  imagined  that  such  exquisite  things,  served  in 
such  an  exquisite  way,  could  be  laid  before  her  in  a 
desert. 

When  the  light  had  suddenly  closed  down  upon  the 
two  adventurers  on  the  Road  of  Life,  she  had  been  led 
to  the  tent  adjoining  hers,  a  sudden  shyness  preventing 
her  from  asking  where  the  Arab  slept,  which  she  found 
alight  with  the  soft  glow  of  many  candles,  and  spread 
with  a  carpet  upon  which  were  many  cushions.  The 
table  had  certainly  been  the  ground,  but  everything 
upon  it  had  been  of  the  daintiest,  and  all  that  she  had 
eaten,  although  she  had  had  no  notion  of  what  it  had 
consisted,  might  have  been  the  outcome  of  some  cordon 
bleu's  genius. 

"  Our  life  is  one  long  picnic,"  had  replied  the  Arab 
to  her  question  anent  the  cooking  facilities  in  waste 
places.  "  So  why  should  we  not  all,  high  and  low  born, 
learn  to  make  the  picnic  pleasant,  for  behold,  we  know 
not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  nor  in  what  place  the 
night  shall  find  us." 

And  Jill  came  quite  suddenly  out  of  her  reverie 
when  asked  if  she  would  like  to  go  outside  for  coffee 
and  cigarettes.  "  For  though  the  moon  in  her  youth 
has  gone  early  to  bed,  the  stars  are  shining  like  your 
eyes." 

"  Oh,"  said  she,  as  she  got  into  a  half-sitting  posi- 
tion, "  I  thought  we  should  have  to  pack  up ;  it's  late 
already,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"  You  are  tired  from  unaccustomed  travelling,  and 
your  limbs  must  ache,  therefore  if  it  pleases  you  we 
will  wait  until  to-morrow  night,  so  that  with  many 


120  DESERT  LOVE 

baths  and  much  refreshing  sleep  you  will  feel  glad  to 
mount  your  camel,  who  is  not  the  begotten  daughter 
of  sin,  Taffadaln,  and  come  still  further  into  the  deseri." 

So  Jill  went  outside  the  tent  and  looked  up  to  the 
blazing  stars,  and  the  soft  wind  blew  her  hair  so  that 
a  burnished  red-gold  perfumed  strand  fell  across  the 
man's  mouth,  and  behold  he  trembled,  fur  great  was 
his  desire,  but  greater  still  his  love  for  this  woman. 

And  when  she  sat  down  upon  the  cushions  he  stood 
apart  and  watched  her,  until  a  little  hand,  like  a  white 
moth  fluttering  in  the  dark,  beckoned  him,  and  he 
moved  towards  her  and  sat  at  her  feet;  and  the  wind 
whispered  to  the  palms  and  the  hours  fled  as  the  Eng- 
lish girl  lay  on  the  cushions  and  listened,  and  she  had 
learnt  of  many  things  before  she  rose  and  passed  into 
her  tent  to  sleep  again. 

Hahmed  was  of  Southern  Arabia,  and  therefore  with 
truth  could  claim  direct  descent  from  Kahtan.  He 
was  the  first-born  of  the  great  Sheik  el  Has'ad,  his 
father,  and  his  favourite  wife  who,  on  her  marriage, 
besides  much  wealth,  had  brought  a  dowry  of  purest 
blood,  and  wonderful  beauty,  to  her  lord  and  master, 
so  that  the  man  who  sat  at  the  English  girl's  feet  un- 
der the  stars,  and  who  trembled  at  her  nearness  was 
pur  sang,  and  further  than  that  you  cannot  go. 

Worshipped  by  his  father,  idolised  by  his  mother,  at 
the  age  of  ten  he  had  been  betrothed  to  the  daughter, 
aged  seven,  of  the  Sheik  el  Ban j  ad.  She  was  also  pur 
sang,  and  already  of  looks  promising  great  beauty. 

And  so  he  had  grown  in  the  warmth  of  his  parents' 
love,  trained  in  what  we  call  outdoor  sports,  but  which 
are  life  itself  to  the  Arab,  until  at  fourteen  no  one 


DESERT  LOVE  121 

could  snrpasse  him  in  running  or  horsemanship  or 
spear-throwing,  whilst  with  rifle  or  revolver  he  could 
clip  the  hair  off  the  top  of  a  man's  head,  the  which 
strenuous  accomplishments  he  balanced  in  passing  his 
leisure  moments  in  the  gentle  arts  of  verse-making 
and  even  music,  in  spite  of  the  latter  being  condemned 
by  religion;  also  did  he  learn  to  converse  in  foreign 
tongues.  Do  not  think  that  these  qualifications  were 
enumerated  with  the  zest  and  glorification  which  usually 
precede  the  distribution  of  dull  books  at  a  prize-giving, 
for  the  man  might  have  been  talking  of  the  sunshine  or 
the  sand  or  the  flies  or  any  other  part  of  that  which 
goes  to  the  making  up  of  Egypt,  rather  than  that  which 
had  helped  to  make  him  the  finest  man  in  the  country. 

And  yet  another  trait  which  he  touched  upon  lightly, 
and  which  had  served  to  make  him  the  subject  of  com- 
ment in  the  bazaars,  and  of  gossip  in  the  harems. 

In  regard  to  his  womenfolk  there  is  no  man  sterner 
the  world  over  than  the  Mohammedan,  shielding  them 
from  harm,  and  insisting  on  the  absolute  privacy  of 
their  lives  and  their  bodies.  Upon  just  this  subject, 
from  the  first  day  of  his  understanding,  Hahmed  the 
Arab  was  stern  to  fanaticism,  intolerant  even  to  in- 
justice. He  disapproved  of  licence  in  all  things,  but 
especially  in  speech,  food,  and  religion.  When  forced 
by  circumstances,  he  went  to  the  feasts  to  which  he  was 
invited,  eating  sparingly  as  was  his  wont,  taking  no 
more  interest  in  the  more  or  less  clothed  dancing  women 
than  in  a  set  of  performing  dogs,  departing  thankfully 
when  the  hour  came. 

Let  me  recount,  in  his  own  words,  the  happenings  of 
his  youth,  which  served  to  change  the  whole  tenor  of 


122  DESERT  LOVE 

his  life,  and  was  to  culminate  in  the  high  adventure 
of  an  English  girl. 

"At  the  age  of  fourteen  I  was  to  marry  and  was 
content,  for  the  desires  of  my  own  woman  had  come 
upon  me,  and  I  longed  to  possess  the  beauty  of  which 
my  mother  told  me,  and  which,  save  for  her  father, 
had  been  seen  by  no  man. 

"  My  own  woman  I  desired,  I  say,  for  bought  women 
were  not  for  me,  and  I  had  refrained  therefrom,  there- 
fore was  I  unsoiled  at  the  time  of  my  wedding. 

"  True  my  marriage  had  naught  to  do  with  my  horo- 
scope cast  at  birth,  for  it  had  been  read  that  water 
would  bring  me  joy,  and  water  would  bring  me  grief, 
and  that  water  again  would  bring  me  everlasting  hap- 
piness, so  I  thought  with  others  that  it  had  lied,  and 
was  amazed. 

"  But  behold,  when  after  great  festival  and  feasting 
my  bride  was  in  the  care  of  her  handmaidens  who 
prepared  her  for  my  coming,  one  came,  and  casting 
herself  at  my  feet,  covered  her  head  in  dust,  begging 
a  word  with  me. 

"  It  seemed  she  was  a  master  in  the  art  of  tinting 
the  fingers  the  pink  which  we  Arabs  love. 

"  I  thought  she  had  a  boon  to  crave  so  listened  to 
her,  but  when  she  told  her  news  I  took  her  by  the 
throat  to  strangle  her,  but  in  choking  breath  she  vowed 
the  great  vow,  therefore  I  listened  again,  and  though 
I  were  like  to  die  of  shame  I  took  counsel  with  her, 
asking  her  the  price  of  her  information,  whereupon  she 
merely  muttered  '  revenge,'  and  showed  her  breast  which 
was  a  festering  sore  caused  by  the  boiling  water  which 


DESERT  LOVE  123 

her  mistress  had  flung  upon  her  when  the  scissors  had 
proved  over  sharp. 

"  Whereupon  I  withdrew  the  handmaidens  from  the 
beautiful  Zuleikha  with  the  exception  of  one,  cross- 
bred of  French  and  Tunisian,  who,  though  of  passing 
beauty,  scorned  all  men,  it  seemed,  and  passed  her 
days  in  waiting  upon  the  whims  of  her  mistress,  and 
tending  to  the  beauties  of  her  body. 

"  I  know  not  how  far  the  women  of  the  West  are 
versed  in  the  knowledge  of  evil,  therefore  will  I  speak 
in  words  that  are  veiled.  Be  it  that  I  —  I,  Hahrned, 
the  son  of  my  great  father,  demeaned  myself  to  spy 
between  the  perfumed  curtains  of  my  bride's  chamber, 
to  witness  the  passionate  farewells  of  the  two  beauti- 
ful women.  Allah !  That  such  things  should  be. 
Tears  streamed  down  the  cheeks  of  she  who  was  to 
share  my  couch,  as  the  slave,  the  unclean  half-caste, 
beat  her  breast  in  her  despair,  and  letting  loose  the 
strands  of  thick  black  hair  which  covered  her  to  the 
knees,  knotted  it  around  until  it  covered,  as  a  mantle, 
the  body  of  she  who  had  been  anointed  for  my  pleas- 
ure. 

"  And  then  I  tore  down  the  curtains  and  strode  in 
upon  them,  bound  one  to  another  in  their  disgrace,  and 
clapping  my  hands  brought  eight  women  as  witnesses 
to  my  shame.  And  still  bound  with  the  thongs  of 
hair  I  threw  the  sinners  naked  across  my  horse,  and 
made  my  way  to  the  woman's  house,  and  before  a  great 
assembly,  for  behold,  the  guests  had  not  yet  departed, 
I  flung  them  at  the  feet  of  the  woman's  father,  and 
calling  my  witnesses  spake  my  tale.  And  when  I  had 


124  DESERT  LOVE 

finished,  the  wailing  of  grief  was  heard  in  the  land. 
And  then  they  were  unbound  and  brought  before  me, 
and  the  half-caste  mocked  me.  Me!  Until  I  took  her 
hair  within  my  hands  and  twisting  it  about  her  neck, 
stopped  her  speech  for  ever,  and  when  she  fell  dead, 
Zuleika  my  wife,  Allah !  hear  me,  my  wife !  screamed 
in  terror,  for  I  ordered  my  slaves  to  seize  her.  And 
then  the  Sheik  el  Banjad,  her  father,  pronounced  judg- 
ment, quoting  from  the  Koran  as  is  written  in  the  sec- 
ond verse  of  the  24th  Sura. 

"  '  Shall  you  scourge  with  a  hundred  stripes,  and 
let  not  compassion  towards  them  prevent  you  from  exe- 
cuting the  judgment  of  God,  if  ye  believe  in  God,  and 
the  last  day.' 

"  And  to  the  scourging  was  added  the  punishment 
of  death,  for  behold,  the  Moslem  law  is  less  lenient 
than  the  Holy  Book,  also  of  such  a  case  is  it  not 
written  in  the  Koran.  And  Zuleika,  my  wife,  was 
bound  naked  to  a  pillar  and  scourged  with  a  hundred 
stripes.  And  the  city  in  which  had  taken  place  the 
marriage,  and  in  which  both  her  father  and  my  father 
had  great  property  being  built  upon  flat  ground,  there 
was,  therefore,  no  height  from  which  to  throw  her, 
neither  well  in  which  to  fling  her  without  fear  of 
polluting  the  water,  for  time,  alas,  is  making  us  softer 
towards  misdeeds,  so  that  such  places  of  punishment 
are  disappearing  quickly." 

Hahmed  the  Arab  stopped  short  as  with  a  little 
rustling  sound  Jill  raised  herself  to  her  knees,  her 
hair  sweeping  to  the  satin  cushion,  her  hands  stretched 
before  her  face  as  though  to  blind  her  eyes  to  the 


DESERT  LOVE  125 

word-picture  which  the  man  was  painting  in  a  perfectly 
indifferent  voice. 

"  How  awful !  How  awful !  "  she  whispered. 
"  Surely,  surely  you  never  let  them  kill  her !  " 

For  a  moment  the  Arab  sat  silent,  as  he  forced  his 
mind  to  an  understanding  of  the  Western  outlook  upon 
what  to  him  was  so  simple  a  matter. 

"  But  she  was  unchaste,  woman,  therefore  there  was 
nothing  else  to  do!  " 

And  at  the  tone  of  finality  in  the  gentle  voice,  Jill 
sat  back  on  her  heels  and  said,  u  And  then  ? "  and 
listened  without  interrupting  until  the  tale  was  done. 

"  So,"  continued  Hahmed,  "  she  was  taken  scream- 
ing to  a  public  spot  and  there  buried  to  her  waist,  and 
after  that  her  mother  had  thrown  the  first  stone,  was 
put  to  death  by  men  and  women  who,  following  the 
edicts  of  the  Moslem  law,  meted  out  death  by  stoning 
to  the  unchaste.  And  from  that  day  I  fud  my  country 
and  my  home.  East  and  West  I  travelled,  passing 
many  moons  in  England,  hence  it  is  that  I  can  con- 
verse with  you  in  your  own  language. 

"  There  are  many  good  things  in  your  country  and 
there  are  some  bad,  the  greatest  of  the  latter,  to  an 
Eastern  mind,  being  the  freedom  of  the  women,  who, 
even  in  their  youth,  go  half-naked  to  the  festival,  so 
that  all  men,  yea,  even  to  the  slaves  who  serve  at  table, 
may  cast  their  eye  of  desire  upon  wife,  or  wife  to  be, 
taking  from  the  husband  the  privilege  of  possessing 
all  the  beauty  of  the  woman  for  himself.  Also  did  I 
see  the  women  of  the  West  go  down  to  the  salt  waters 
to  bathe.  Naked  were  they  save  for  a  covering  which 


126  DESERT  LOVE 

clung  as  closely  as  the  skin  to  a  peach,  so  that  if  I 
had  had  a  mind  I  could  have  discoursed  upon  the 
comeliness  of  the  wife  of  el  Jones,  or  the  poor  land 
belonging  to  el  Smith.  Allah!  I  remember  well  a 
bride-to-be  of  seventeen  summers,  comely  in  her  outer 
raiment,  displaying  to  her  future  husband,  without  hesi- 
tation, the  poor  harvest  of  which  he  would  shortly  be 
the  reaper,  for  I  think  that  the  majority  of  the  women 
of  the  West  strive  not  to  render  themselves  beautiful, 
develop  not  the  portion  of  the  body  which  maybe  lacks 
contour  from  birth,  bathes  not  her  body  in  perfumed 
waters,  feeds  not  her  skin  with  delicious  unguents, 
cares  not  if  her  hair  reaches  in  wisps  to  her  shoulders, 
or  falls  below  her  waist  as  a  natural  covering  under 
which  she  may  hide  at  the  approach  of  her  master, 
neither  does  she  daily  perfume  it,  nor  her  hands,  nor 
&er  feet,  nor  any  part  of  her." 

Once  again  Jill  snapped  the  story  thread,  but  this 
time  with  laughter,  for  her  mind's  eye,  aided  by  her 
companion's  scathing  comments,  had  called  up  picture 
after  picture  of  friends  and  acquaintances  who,  at 
balls,  theatres,  or  by  the  sea,  had  draped  themselves 
or  not  according  to  what  they  imagined  to  be  their 
menfolk's  outlook  upon  life. 

"  How  funny !  "  she  laughed,  "  how  too  funny !  " 
And  added :  "  And  then  2  "  as  she  lit  another  ciga- 
rette which  she  did  not  smoke. 

"  For  many  years,"  continued  Hahmed,  "  I  wan- 
dered, even  unto  Asia  and  to  America.  In  truth  whilst 
there  the  desert  suddenly  called  me.  My  body  craved 
for  the  sun,  my  eyes  for  the  great  distances  of  the 
sand,  my  ears  for  the  familiar  sounds  of  the  East. 


DESERT  LOVE  Iz7 

"But  I  could  not  return  to  the  place  of  my  shame, 
likewise  were  my  parents  dead,  leaving  me  an  equal 
part  of  their  great  wealth. 

"  So  I  went  to  other  parts  and  bought  '  the  flat 
oasis '  as  it  is  called,  on  account  of  the  many  miles  of 
perfectly  flat  sand  surrounding  it,  absolutely  unbroken 
by  rock  or  bush  or  sand-dune.  And  perforce  because 
I  needed  it  not  I  acquired  wealth,  and  yet  more  wealth, 
buying  villages  and  great  tracts  of  ground,  breeding 
and  selling  camels  and  horses,  diverting  myself  with 
my  hawks,  hunting  with  my  cheetahs,  or  greyhounds, 
to  occupy  my  time,  heaping  up  the  jewels  in  my  bank 
at  Cairo,  keeping  the  best  of  everything  for  my  wife, 
the  woman  predicted  in  my  horoscope,  for  there  can 
be  no  real  happiness  without  a  perfect  helpmate,  and 
real  happiness  has  been  promised  me. 

"And  all  these  things  I  have  done  for  her,  yet  am 
I  looked  upon  as  mad  by  many  in  that  at  twenty-eight 
years  I  have  not  begotten  me  a  son,  for  they  could 
not  understand  the  disgust  which  had  taken  root  in 
my  whole  being,  so  that  in  love  or  passion  or  desire 
I  laid  not  hands  upon  women. 

"  You  cannot  understand,  woman  of  the  West,  what 
it  means  when  I  say  this  to  you,  for  in  the  East  a 
man's  greatest  desire  is  to  propagate  his  race,  to  have 
sons,  many  sons,  with  a  daughter  or  two,  or  more  as 
Allah  wills,  and  to  satisfy  this  longing  in  the  shadow 
of  the  law,  Allah,  who  is  God,  in  His  all-powerful 
goodness  and  bounty  has  allowed  us  as  many  as  four 
wives,  and  as  many  women  slaves  or  concubines  as  a 
man  can  properly  and  with  decency  provide  for,  the 
children  of  the  latter,  if  recognised  by  the  father, 


128  DESERT  LOVE 

sharing  equally  with  the  offspring  of  the  former. 
Though  why  a  man  who  has  found  his  love  should 
wish  to  ciimher  his  house  with  other  women,  seething 
with  jealousy  and  peevish  from  want  of  occupation, 
is  beyond  my  power  of  comprehension. 

"  So  I  have  none,  because  it  is  within  me  to  love 
one  woman  only,  and  to  find  the  light  of  my  life  in 
her  and  the  children  of  her  loins,  and  if  Allah  in  his 
wisdom  sees  not  good  to  grant  me  this  woman,  who 
must  come  to  me  of  her  own  free-will  and  love,  then 
will  I  go  to  my  grave  in  Allah's  time  without  wife, 
without  child,  although  the  Koran  sayeth  that  he  who 
fails  in  his  duty  towards  his  race  is  accursed  among 
men." 

And  behold,  a  great  trembling  fell  upon  the  Eng- 
lish girl,  as  rising  to  her  feet  she  stood  to  look  out  upon 
the  desert,  and  drawing  the  glory  of  her  hair  about 
her  so  that  she  was  covered  from  the  gaze  of  the  man 
who  stood  apart,  passed  into  her  tent. 

And  the  hour  of  prayer  being  at  hand  the  man  puri- 
fied himself,  and  turning  towards  Mecca  praised  his 
God,  and  divesting  himself  of  his  outer  raiment  laid 
himself  across  the  entrance  of  the  woman's  tent  so 
as  to  guard  her  through  her  sleep,  until  such  time  that 
Allah,  who  is  God,  should  open  the  entrance  of  her 
chamber  unto  him,  and  place  the  delights  thereof  into 
his  hands  for  ever. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

AND  the  first  day  was  like  unto  the  second  and  the 
third,  for  these  two  desert  farers  went  but  slowly. 

Each  dawn,  if  they  had  travelled  in  the  night,  they 
found  their  tents  pitched;  each  night  they  moved  on, 
or  not,  as  pleased  the  girl's  mood,  each  hour  of  the  day 
strengthening  the  love  in  the  man's  soul,  each  minute 
of  the  night  passing  over  him,  as  he  lay  outside  the 
entrance  to  her  tent,  so  that,  at  the  slightest  sound 
from  the  dim,  sweet,  scented  interior,  he  might  spring 
to  his  feet,  awaiting  the  little  call  for  help  which  never 
came.  Jill  slept  as  peacefully  as  a  babe,  stirring  only 
at  a  dreamed  of,  or  imagined,  swaying  of  the  bed,  as 
does  the  seafarer  sometimes  who  sleeps  for  the  first 
time  after  many  months  upon  a  bed,  the  four  feet  of 
which  stand  firmly  on  the  ground. 

During  the  waking  moments  after  her  first  night's 
rest,  uninitiated  Jill  had  in  imagination  gone  through 
and  ardently  disliked  the  frightful  hour  in  which  she 
would  help  collect,  and  clean,  and  pack  a  litter  of 
soiled  pots  and  pans,  and  other  such  abominations, 
which  collecting,  etc.,  seems  to  constitute  one  of  the 
chief  charms  of  a  Western  picnic;  so  great  had  been 
her  relief  on  hearing  that  there  was  absolutely  nothing 
to  do  but  to  see  that  the  cushions  and  coffee  were  safely 
strapped  upon  Howesha's  back,  the  only  patient  part  of 

the  animal.     They  were  standing  in  front  of  the  tents 

129 


130  DESERT  LOVE 

with  the  animals  at  their  feet,  the  man  watching  the 
girl's  every  movement.  Jill  herself,  being  vastly  rested, 
was  absolutely  radiant  as  to  looks;  strange  dishes  and 
hot  winds  and  cold  causing  no  havoc  to  the  skin,  nor 
the  lack  of  Marcel  methods  unsightliness  to  her  hair. 

The  dusk  hid  the  dilapidation  of  her  tailor-made, 
which  looked  the  fresher  for  being  pressed  under  the 
mattress;  she  always  travelled  boot-trees,  so  her  shoes 
were  all  right,  and  the  two  Jacob's  ladders,  falling  on 
the  outside  of  her  stockings,  looked  just  like  clocks 
neatly  mended ;  her  lovely  hair  rioted  under  her  blue 
hat,  and  her  high  spirits  rioted  in  her  blue  eyes,  as  she 
fed  the  camels  with  dates  and  wiped  her  sticky  fingers 
on  the  silken  coats. 

"  What !  "  she  had  exclaimed.  "  You  don't  mean  to 
say  that  you  are  going  to  leave  all  this  for  the  first 
thief  to  collect,"  withdrawing  as  she  spoke  her  basket 
of  dates  from  the  vicinity  of  her  new  camel's  mouth. 

Verily,  a  beast  of  great  beauty  and  worth  was  she, 
but  shining  as  a  mere  rushlight,  in  comparison  to  the 
Bleriot  head-light  radiance  of  the  fallen  Taffadaln. 

"  The  Arab  does  not  steal !  " 

"  Oh  !  but "  said  Jill,  putting  a  date  into  her  own 

mouth  by  mistake,  and  therefore  speaking  with  diffi- 
culty, "  but  they  do  steal,  and  murder,  and  do  all  kinds 
of  dreadful  things  like  that  —  I  learnt  it  all  in  school !  " 

"  No,"  reiterated  the  man  calmly,  "  the  Arab  does 
not  steal,  he  merely  carries  out  the  order  of  Allah,  who, 
when  Abraham  turned  his  son  Ishmael  from  his  door, 
gave  unto  the  boy  the  open  plains  and  deserts  as  a 
heritage,  permitting  him  to  take  and  make  use  of  what- 
ever he  could  find  therein. 


DESERT  LOVE  131 

"And  as  it  is  written  that  every  hand  was  turned 
against  Ishmael,  so  his  descendants  turn  their  hand 
against  the  descendants  of  those  who  persecuted  the 
son  of  Abraham;  but  amongst  their  own  tribe,  or  to 
those  who  ask  of  their  hospitality,  you  will  find  the 
greatest  honesty. 

"  In  a  camp  everything  is  left  unguarded,  and  noth- 
ing goes  astray.  If  you,  clothed  in  fine  linen  and  ar- 
rayed in  jewels,  were  to  enter  the  tent  of  some  half- 
starving  Arab,  and  ask  of  him  hospitality,  he  would 
share  his  last  few  coffee  beans  with  you,  and  give  you 
his  couch,  if  by  chance  he  was  possessed  of  such  a 
luxury,  and  speed  you  on  your  way  the  morrow,  and 
believe  me,  you  would  not  find  a  ribbon  missing  from 
your  attire,  even  though  you  had  left  him  without  the 
wherewith  to  make  his  beloved  coffee." 

The  girl  laughed,  for  she  really  cared  not  a  rap 
either  way,  and  was  only  arguing  for  the  sake  of  draw- 
ing the  man  out,  having  found  argument  the  best  and 
simplest  method  of  breaking  through  the  Eastern  re- 
serve, up  against  which  she  had  more  than  once  found 
herself  during  the  last  few  days. 

"  Well !  I  call  that  splitting  hairs.  I  really  can't 
say  I  see  that  the  persecution  of  Ishmael  makes  steal- 
ing different  from  stealing;  to  my  mind,  taking  sugar 
from  a  bowl  that  is  not  yours,  and  diamonds  that  are 
not  yours  from  a  safe,  are  one  and  the  same  thing,  as 
both  ornamental  and  necessary  booty  belong  to  some- 
one else." 

"  And  yet,"  replied  the  Eastern,  "  in  the  West  a 
man  who  cheats  at  cards  is  damned  everlastingly,  but 
a  nation  is  acclaimed  who  takes  the  land  with  all  its 


132  DESERT  LOVE 

wealth  from  some  wretched,  half-educated  native ;  takes 
it  by  force  of  arms  or  diplomacy,  which,  nine  times  out 
of  ten,  means  trickery.  Yes!  Acclaimed  with  such 
adjectives  as  valiant,  strong,  beneficent,  applauded  to 
the  skies,  whilst  reams  are  written  anent  the  glorious, 
victorious  campaign.  Victorious !  Allah !  When  the 
nation  goes  out  with  artillery  and  unlimited  forces  to 
meet  a  handful  of  men,  whose  strength  lies  in  a  spear, 
and  pride  in  some  dozen  flintlocks,  which  have  been 
sold  to  the  benighted  heathen  for  solid  gold  or  shining 
lengths  of  purest  ivory. 

"  Besides,  the  Arab  requires  '  what  he  gains,'  as  is 
his  way  of  expressing  himself.  No  people  on  earth 
endure  such  hardships  as  this  my  people ;  never  enough 
to  eat,  burnt  in  the  summer,  frozen  in  the  winter,  buried 
in  sand,  tortured  with  thirst,  fleeing  from  place  to  place, 
never  at  peace,  yet  always  happy  in  his  miserable  tent. 

"  For  the  ga.zu  or  raid  on  caravan  or  camp,  which 
will  yield  booty  of  horse,  or  camel,  or  women  —  well ! 
that  is  in  the  blood,  and  both  sides  are  prepared.  If 
you  or  they  should  have  the  better  horses,  or  the  better 
cunning,  both  of  which  we  of  the  East  so  dearly  love, 
one  can  hardly  be  expected  to  sympathise  with  those 
who  lose  from  want  of  forethought." 

And  as  he  spoke,  he  raised  a  light  spear,  which  he 
held  in  his  hand,  and  drove  it  through  one  edge  of  the 
tent  flap  which  covered  the  entrance,  deep  into  the  sand. 

"  That  is  a  sign  that  I  am  coming  back,  and  believe 
me,  the  worst  of  Arabs  would  pass  this  way  and  seeing 
the  sign  would  leave  my  belongings  unmolested.  Yes ! 
even  if  many  moons  passed,  until  the  skins  had  rotted, 
and  the  sands  had  covered  the  rotted  remains." 


DESERT  LOVE  133 

After  which  explanation,  Jill  remained  silent  for  a 
space,  and  then  approached  her  camel,  feeling  that  the 
rapping  of  her  knuckles,  however  slight,  had  been  quite 
unwarranted,  for  her  sympathy  in  human  beings  and 
their  feelings  was  great,  and  the  understanding  which 
kept  her  from  wounding  the  sensibilities  of  those  hu- 
mans even  greater. 

Her  wish  to  draw  out  the  man  had  caused  her  figura- 
tive feet  to  make  a  faux  pas,  in  fact  she  felt  that  her 
pedestal  had  tilted  ever  so  slightly,  causing  the  drapery 
of  decency,  and  courtesy,  to  swing  aside  for  one  mo- 
ment, exposing  a  particle  of  clay  upon  the  ivory  of 
her  beautiful  feet  to  the  eyes  of  the  man  whose  outlook 
on  life  was  so  broad,  whose  principles  were  so  stern, 
and  whose  people  she  had  so  rudely  criticised.  There- 
fore she  was  dissatisfied  with  herself.  Though,  if  she 
had  known  it,  the  man  looked  upon  her  with  the  same 
solicitude  and  tenderness,  as  you  or  I  would  look  upon 
the  babe,  who,  in  its  first  efforts  to  get  from  table  to 
chair,  pulls  the  table-cloth  about  its  unsteady  little  feet. 

Also  sensing  that  the  woman  he  loved  was  troubled, 
there  was  no  gladness  in  the  heart  of  the  Arab,  so  that, 
in  his  anxiety  to  remove  the  pebble  from  the  path,  he 
approached  her,  as  she  stood  with  skirt  lifted  in  readi- 
ness to  mount  her  recumbent  camel,  whereupon  she 
looked  up  at  the  grave  face  and  apologised  truly  and 
sweetly,  and  by  her  sweet  and  humble  act,  causing  the 
man  of  the  East  to  marvel  at  her  strength,  and  to  salaam 
deeply  before  her  as  he  accounted  himself  as  the  sand 
beneath  her  little  feet. 

"  Now  wait  a  moment !  "  laughed  Jill,  whose  worries 
disappeared  beneath  the  warmth  of  her  happy  nature 


134  DESERT  LOVE 

with  the  vanishing  celerity  of  the  dew  beneath  the  sun. 
"  I  am  going  to  try  my  hand  with  the  camels.  I  really 
have  a  good  deal  of  influence  over  animals  —  domesti- 
cated ones,  I  mean Oh !  Yes !  I  suppose  they 

are,  but  of  course  in  England  we  don't  have  them  hang- 
ing around  as  we  do  horses  and  dogs,  you  know.  I 
don't  like  cats,  however  —  I  simply  can't  stand  the  way 
they  look  past  and  through  you,  at  the  spirits  I  always 
think,  which  we  humans  cannot  see  standing  beside  us. 

"  I  had  one  once,  I  found  her  in  the  picture  gallery- 
one  night,  who  positively  made  me  creep.  She  would 
get  up  suddenly  from  the  fire  and  go  sidling  and  wrig- 
gling across  the  room  in  the  most  absurd  fashion, 
purring  and  simply  confused  with  delight,  to  rub  her- 
self up  and  down  the  empty  air,  and  by  the  way  her 
tail  was  flattened  down  and  then  shot  up  again,  I  was 
positive  she  was  being  stroked.  She  almost  lived  in 
the  picture  gallery,  sitting  staring  at  the  pictures  of 
an  ancestor  of  mine,  who  had  the  most  frightful  repu- 
tation. 

"  The  worst  of  it  all  was  that  the  whole  village  began 
to  suffer  from  catalepsy  as  Dads  said,  and  then  it  all 
got  into  the  newspapers,  and  occult  societies  camped  at 
the  gates,  water  diviners  drilled  on  the  lawns,  the  Merry 
Harvester  was  filled  with  'ologists  hailing  from  this 
country,  and  some  genuine  catamaniacs,  until  I  had  the 
bright  idea  of  fastening  a  placard  on  the  gates  to  say 
that  the  cat  was  dead,  though  she  had  suddenly  dis- 
appeared the  night  the  picture  of  the  ancestress  fell, 
owing  honestly  to  a  faulty  plug  in  the  wall.  Now !  let 
me  try  and  see  if  my  knowledge  of  the  Arabian  tongue 
is  good  enough  to  be  understood  by  the  camel." 


DESERT  LOVE  135 

Lowering  her  voice  a  tone,  she  suddenly  cried  "  Get 
up!" 

Whereupon  the  animal  rose  clumsily  to  its  feet,  as 
the  girl,  laughing  aloud,  clung  to  the  man's  arm. 

"  Oh,"  she  cried,  "  did  you  ever  know  anything  so 
funny,  though  why,  I  am  sure  I  can't  say  —  fancy  a 
camel  obeying  me." 

"  Get  down !  "  she  suddenly  ordered  in  her  sweet, 
broken  Arabic,  at  which  the  camel  knelt,  leaving  the 
Arab  astounded,  for  the  beautiful,  lazy  woman  of  the 
East  troubles  not  her  soul  in  the  training  of  beasts, 
nor  has  she  any  command  over  them. 

Having  mounted  and  got  the  three  animals  to  their 
feet,  Jill  laughed  delightedly,  announcing  her  intention 
of  starting  the  trio  and  leading  them  for  a  short  space, 
to  which  the  man,  craving  to  satisfy  the  slightest  wish, 
consented,  fastening  the  pack  camel  to  the  off-side  of 
Jill's  beast,  so  that  she  should  be  in  the  middle,  upon 
which  they  started  off  triumphantly,  leaving  the  tent 
to  the  stars  and  moon. 

For  an  hour  they  travelled  over  the  sand,  covered  in 
patches  with  low  shrubs,  and  broken  here  and  there  by 
sand  dunes,  until  JilLsuddenly  stopped  her  chattering 
and  pointed. 

"  There's  a  caravan  or  something  over  there,  and  we 
seem  to  be  heading  straight  for  it  —  it's  —  yes  —  it's  a 
tent  under  some  palms  —  why !  Yes  —  no !  yes  it  is 
—  oh,  it's  our  tent  —  how  can  it  be  our  tent  when  we 
have  been  going  straight  ahead  all  the  time,  haven't 
we?" 

Without  the  glimmer  of  a  smile,  the  Arab  shook  his 
head. 


136  DESERT  LOVE 

"  We  have  been  describing  a  circle  ever  since  we 
started." 

"  But  no !  "  argued  the  girl,  who  was  half  mortified, 
half  ready  to  laugh,  "  there  is  no  left  rein,  and  I  left 
the  right  one  hanging " 

"  Yes,  but  quite  unconsciously  you  kicked  your  camel 
with  your  left  foot  when  we  were  some  way  from  the 
tent  —  you  didn't  notice,  but  she  immediatly  began 
to  turn  to  the  left;  after  that,  you  patted  her  contin- 
ually on  the  left  side,  and  camels,  who,  from  pure 
stupidity  or  hereditary  instinct,  will  go  straight  on  to 
eternity  untouched,  are  trained  to  turn  in  the  direction 
of  the  side  touched  by  hand,  foot,  or  whip;  the  single 
rein  is  of  very  little  use,  and  hardly  ever  used  by  a 
native,  for  once  a  camel  bolts,  nothing  will  stop  him, 
excepting  a  cloth  flung  over  his  head,  or  the  birth  of 
some  passing  fancy  in  his  head,  which  serves  to  divert 
the  evil  tenor  of  his  benighted  brain.  And  I  defy  any- 
one unused  to  the  desert  and  its  markings  to  know  if 
they  are  really  going  straight  or  in  a  circle,  and  you 
were  too  taken  up  to  notice  the  stars.  Try  again! 
Keep  that  red  star  straight  ahead,  those  two  close  to- 
gether, just  behind  your  right  shoulder,  and  you  will 
unfailingly  reach  the  so-called  mountain,  in  the  shadow 
of  which  we  shall  find  our  tent." 

And  the  maker  of  sweet  music  bowed  low  from  afar, 
and  salaamed  with  fervour,  when,  just  before  the  hour 
of  dawn,  three  camels  came  to  a  halt,  and  knelt  on  the 
word  of  command  of  this  veiled  woman,  who  spoke 
his  language  sweetly,  but  as  a  stranger. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

FEW  have  or  ever  will  make  use  of  the  route  which 
the  Arab  was  explaining  by  means  of  a  sharp  stick  and 
a  flat  stretch  of  sand.  And  in  truth  'twere  wise  to 
leave  it  to  those  who  are  born  of  the  desert,  for  even 
if  ignoring  the  danger  signals  of  her  cumbersome  cov- 
ering, the  body,  the  soul  should  urge  the  would-be 
traveller  to  tread  the  unknown  path,  he  will,  if  he  sets 
foot  thereon,  find  the  discomforts  out  of  all  proportion 
to  the  interesting  dangers. 

'Twere  best  to  eschew  it,  keeping  to  the  normal  route 
of  boat  or  rail ;  even  if  the  soul  of  the  desert,  wrapt  in 
mystic  garments,  stands  with  plump,  henna-tipped, 
beckoning  forefinger;  for  she  is  but  a  lying  jade,  out- 
come of  some  digestive  upheaval ;  the  spirit  of  the  sand, 
the  scorpions  and  the  stars,  beckoning  to  but  the  very- 
few,  and  baring  herself  to  none ;  though  the  wind  may 
lift  her  robes  of  saffron,  brown  and  purple,  revealing 
for  one  sharp  second  the  figure  slim  to  gauntness,  and 
blow  the  thick,  coarse  black  hair  from  before  her  face, 
exposing  those  eyes  of  different  colouring,  and  flaming 
mouth,  luring  to  kisses,  which  will  steep  the  mind  in 
intoxication,  and  rasp  the  lips  with  stinging  particles 
of  burning  sand.  No!  take  rather  the  boat  from  the 
round  ring,  which  the  Arab  drew  in  the  sand,  christen- 
ing it  Isniailiah ;  whereupon  Jill  got  up  from  her  place 
in  the  moon,  and  crossing  over  to  the  man,  crouched 
down  beside  him,  the  better  to  view  the  map,  taking  it 

137 


138  DESERT  LOVE 

for  an  offering  of  prayer,  when  the  sweetness  of  her 
breath,  and  the  savour  of  her  perfume,  assailing  the 
man's  nostrils,  he  suddenly  raised  his  hands  to  the 
starry  heavens,  praying  to  Allah  to  give  him  strength. 

The  stick  starting  from  the  ring  christened  Ismail i ah 
turned  slightly  to  the  West  and  continued  in  a  line 
which  curved  at  every  inch. 

"  I  haven't  the  vaguest  idea  where  we  are,"  remarked 
Jill,  as  she  took  a  proffered  cigarette,  and  proceeded  to 
blow  smoke  rings  in  the  still  night,  from  a  mouth 
contracted  until  it  looked  like  one  of  those  little  leather 
jug  purses,  whilst  her  head,  thrown  back,  showed  the 
beauty  of  her  bare  throat.  "Are  we  going  towards 
Cairo?" 

"  Nay,  woman !  Having  crossed  the  fertile  land, 
outcome  of  the  fresh  water  canal  at  Ismailiah,  we  con- 
tinued to  the  West  for  a  space,  and  then  came  South, 
winding  in  and  out  so  as  to  miss  the  higher  hills  and 
sand  dunes. 

"  To-morrow  we  pass  through  the  mountains  of  the 
Jebel  Aweibid  range,  and  find  the  Haj  road,  which, 
glory  to  Allah,  will  be  free  of  pilgrims  until  next  moon. 
That  road  we  will  follow  as  far  as  the  fertility  of  Airud, 
passing  that  spot  afar  off,  as  even  in  this  month  cara- 
vans will  congregate  there;  then  crossing  the  canal  a 
space  higher  than  Suez,  where  crowds  embark  and  dis- 
embark, we  will  pick  up  the  Haj  road  on  the  far  side, 
making  use  of  it  to  pass  through  the  Jebel  Rabah  range, 
leaving  it,  once  through,  to  strike  to  the  East,  and  find 
our  way  at  last  to  the  peace  of  my  own  habitation/' 

Upon  which  explanation  Jill  sat  back  on  her  heels, 
and  wrinkled  her  brow. 


DESERT  LOVE  139 

"  But  surely  the  easiest  way  would  have  been  by  boat 
to  Suez!" 

"  True,  O !  woman,  whose  eyes  ringed  with  the  shad- 
ows of  fatigue  are  as  blue  flowers  growing  in  the  moun- 
tain's purple  shade.  I  pondered  long  before  I  made 
decision  in  my  choice  of  roads.  Upon  the  one  we 
traverse,  you  could  but  meet  fatigue,  and  in  this  month, 
but  few  travellers  upon  the  way  that  leads  to  Mecca. 

"  Upon  the  boat  you  would  have  met  many  of  your 
land,  friends  maybe,  who  perchance  would  have  turned 
upon  you  the  eyes  of  suspicion,  the  shoulder  cold  with 
disdainful  convention,  whilst  their  tongue,  more  poison- 
ous even  than  the  forked  tip  of  the  cerastes  comutus,1 
might,  nay,  would,  have  striven  to  corrupt  your  mind 
with  a  festering  mass  of  doubt  and  suspicion  and  mis- 
giving. Therefore  have  I  brought  you  on  this  journey, 
which  is  so  much  longer,  and  is  likely  to  kill  you  with 
fatigue.  \7erily,  for  behold  the  half  is  not  yet  accom- 
plished." 

Jill,  who  had  unconsciously  taken  the  sharp  stick 
from  the  Arab,  and  had  also,  unconsciously,  been  draw- 
ing monstrous  beasts  in  the  sand,  lifted  her  head  and 
made  a  slight  grimace. 

"  Oh !  but  you  will  kill  me,  you  will  really !  And 
to  think  that  I  thought  you  lived  quite  near  Cairo! 
Where  are  we  going  really  ?  " 

And  Hahmed,  overcome  by  an  almost  irresistible 
longing  to  take  the  girl  in  his  arms  and  hold  her  close 
against  all  dangers  and  discomforts,  suddenly  rose  to 
his  feet,  standing  towering  over  her,  and  when  she  held 
out  both  her  hands,  asking  to  be  helped  ^p,  leant  down 

i  The  most  poisonous  snake  in  Egypt. 


140  DESERT  LOVE 

and  raised  her  as  lightly  as  though  she  were  of  thistle's 
down. 

Then  there  came  about  one  of  those  pauses  which 
sometimes  do  come  to  pass  between  man  and  woman, 
a  pause  in  which,  as  there  is  no  midway,  either  much  is 
won  or  lost. 

As  still  as  a  mouse,  Jill  lay  in  his  arms,  until  he  very 
gently  set  her  upon  her  feet ;  and  though  a  little  ripple 
akin  to  disappointment  disturbed  the  smooth  surface  of 
her  content,  she  said  "  Thank  you,"  and  smiled  sweetly 
into  the  grave  face  which  showed  no  sign  of  a  pulse 
disturbed  by  a  thudding  heart.  And  then  Jill  sat  down 
again  upon  her  cushions,  drawing  her  knees  up  under 
her  chin  and  clasping  them  with  her  hands,  and  the 
shadow  of  the  man  falling  upon  her,  left  her  well  con- 
tent, and  still  more  content  did  she  feel  when  he 
stretched  himself  full  length  beside  her  and  continued 
speaking. 

"  Where  are  we  going  ?  Oh  woman,  who  has  placed 
her  hand  in  mine,  we  journey  to  my  own  country,  unto 
the  desert  of  Arabia,  until  we  shall  come  to  the  place 
which  was  mine,  but  now  is  yours.  Although,  verily, 
it  is  unworthy  of  your  eyes,  you  will  bear  with  it  for  a 
few  moons,  until  a  habitation  worthy  of  your  beauty 
is  erected.  Nay,  as  oasis,  it  is  not  over  large,  but  it 
is  fertile  beyond  thought.  Many  have  essayed  to  steal 
it  by  force  of  arms,  or  buy  it,  but  I  prevailed  through 
the  magic  of  much  wealth  and  the  virtue  of  patience. 
I  bought  it  bit  by  bit  from  those  who  owned  it,  and 
now  they  rent  it  from  me  —  I  did  not  want  their 
money,  but  I  desired  to  make  the  ground  productive 
and  the  people  happy. 


DESERT  LOVE  141 

"  The  grain  plains  require  good  workmen,  also  my 
date  groves,  my  paddocks,  and  stables  for  camels  and 
horses.  The  fruit  and  vegetables  and  other  produce, 
which  were  once  mine  and  now  are  yours,  are  cultivated 
and  tended  by  some  hundreds  of  especially  trained 
men,  who,  with  their  wives  and  numerous  offspring, 
live  in  the  shadow  of  the  acacia,  loving,  quarrelling, 
hating,  dying,  but  always  happy.  My  own  habitation 
is  in  the  shade  of  the  palms,  removed  from  the  unseemly 
wailing  of  children  and  barking  of  dogs,  and  as  I  have 
told  you,  no  woman  has  placed  foot  therein,  save  for 
the  hunchback.  Verily  the  flat  oasis  is  unique  in  the 
desert  annals,  and  to  bring  unto  perfection  requires  but 
a  son  to  take  on  the  work,  when  these  mine  hands  are 
clasped  in  the  handshake  of  death." 

But  those  very  hands  showed  no  sign  of  their  mas- 
ter's desire  to  close  them  upon  those  clasped  whitely 
round  the  girl's  knees,  neither  did  his  voice  portray 
the  desire  of  possession  raging  within  him  as  he  con- 
tinued speaking. 

"  If  later  you  should  desire  to  travel,  then  shall  the 
boats,  the  cars  which  were  mine,  but  are  now  yours,  be 
at  your  disposal,  so  that  in  comfort  shall  your  journey 
be  made,  wiping  out  the  bitter  memory  of  this  your 
first." 

But  there  was  no  doubt  about  it  that  Jill  was  suffer- 
ing acutely  from  a  cumulative  fatigue,  engendered  by 
the  unaccustomed  mode  of  travelling,  the  intense  heat 
through  which  she  essayed  to  sleep  during  the  day,  the 
biting  cold  at  night,  when  the  temperature  fell  many 
degrees,  as  is  its  agonising  wont  in  that  part  of  the 
world,  the  strain  of  the  mind  as  it  valiantly  essayed  to 


142  DESEKT  LOVE 

accustom  itself  to  the  new  way  of  everything;  but 
above  all,  the  inability  to  change  her  under  raiment, 
which,  strive  against  it  as  she  would,  managed  to  con- 
ceal particles  of  sand  and  insects,  which,  though  they 
did  not  bite,  crawled  most  successfully  and  irritatingly. 

So  that  as  in  a  dream  she  passed  down  the  Haj  road 
to  the  water,  with  a  vague  recollection  of  a  few  way- 
farers and  beggars  squatting  on  the  roadside,  many 
men  who  salaamed  with  fervour  at  the  water's  edge ;  a 
boat,  a  quick  passage,  and  more  of  those  who  salaamed, 
and  a  three  days'  rest,  when  the  tents  were  pitched  on 
the  near  side  of  the  mountains.  Three  days  in  which 
she  slept,  and  slept,  and  slept,  rising  to  bathe  and  eat, 
grateful  to  the  man  who  spoke  only  when  she  asked  a 
question,  and  who,  though  sign  of  servant  there  was 
none,  forestalled  her  every  unuttered  wish.  Then  fol- 
lowed they  the  Haj  road  through  the  mountains  and 
left  it  to  take  a  line  in  the  Eastern  direction,  which 
they  also  followed  until  the  hour  when  the  Arab  called 
his  camels  to  a  halt,  and  pointing  straight  ahead,  ex- 
claimed : 

"  Behold,  woman,  your  land !  " 

Upon  which  Jill  strained  her  eyes  in  vain,  for  her 
untrained  sight  revealed  nothing  but  sand,  and  yet  more 
sand. 

"  Yonder  lies  the  oasis,  O !  woman  of  the  West,  and 
beneath  the  star  of  happiness  the  dwelling  which  will 
serve  to  throw  a  shadow  upon  your  path  in  the  heat  of 
the  day,  and  from  the  roof  of  which  you  may  watch  the 
changing  of  the  moon,  and  learn  the  way  of  the  Eastern 
stars,  whilst  listening  to  the  million  voices  of  the  desert 
night." 


DESERT  LOVE  143 

The  girl  made  no  reply,  neither  did  she  turn  to  look 
at  the  man. 

There  was  no  sound  save  for  an  occasional  grunt  of 
satisfaction  from  one  or  other  of  the  beasts,  who  sensed 
their  home  and  the  termination  of  their  labour. 

There  was  nothing  to  break  the  silence,  and  nothing 
to  break  the  never-ending  stretches  of  sand,  as  the  two, 
caught  in  the  inevitable  fingers  of  Fate,  sat  motionless, 
looking  ahead  beyond  the  oasis,  beyond  the  stars,  to 
the  moment  when  the  first  wind  blew  a  particle  of  sand 
to  find  its  mate,  with  which  to  multiply  and  form  the 
desert,  the  birthplace  and  burial  ground  of  so  many; 
whilst  gnarled  hands  playing  with  Life's  shuttlecock 
drew  a  golden  thread  to  a  brown,  proceeding  to  weave 
them  in  and  out  with  the  blood-red  silk  of  the  pome- 
granate, the  orange  of  the  setting  sun,  the  silver  of  the 
rising  moon,  and  the  purples  of  the  bougainvillaea,  un- 
til upon  the  background  of  dull  greys  and  saffrons 
appeared  an  amazing  pattern  of  that  which  is  called 
Love. 

And  suddenly  the  girl  looked  up  into  the  man's  face, 
and  stretching  out  her  hand  spake  softly,  calling  upon 
him  by  name,  so  that  his  heart  quaked  within  him,  and 
his  being  was  suffused  with  love. 

"  Hahmed !     O !  Hahmed !     Is  it  happiness  ?  " 

And  Hahmed  the  Arab,  raising  his  right  hand,  called 
heaven  to  witness. 

"  As  Allah  is  above  us,  O  woman,  it  is  happiness. 
Glory  be  to  Him  Whose  prophet  is  Mohammed." 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

LITTLE  by  little  the  face  of  the  desert  began  to 
change,  just  as  changes  the  face  of  a  fainted  woman, 
•which,  drawn  and  grey  and  pinched  about  the  mouth, 
starts  to  relax  and  fill  out  and  to  colour  faintly,  when 
life  begins  to  return  to  the  limp  form.  Rough  shrubs 
grew  in  patches,  giving  way  to  rough  grass  growing 
about  the  roots  of  short  trees.  A  clump  of  palms  and 
then  another,  a  mimosa  tree  scenting  the  air  from  its 
diminutive  yellow  lanterns,  and  then  great  stretches 
of  land,  some  light  with  the  grain  silvered  by  the  wan- 
ing moon,  some  dark  from  the  plough's  drastic  hand, 
undivided  by  hedge  or  wall,  yet  as  evenly  marked  out 
as  a  chess-board,  reminding  Jill  of  a  very  great  patch- 
work quilt  held  together  by  some  invisible  feather- 
stitching. 

Her  questions  fell  like  rain,  and  in  them  the  man 
seemed  to  find  great  joy.  That  was  an  artesian  well, 
and  this  a  grove  of  Tailik  dates.  Yes !  the  rivulet 
which  would  sing  her  to  sleep  on  its  way  thnmgh 
the  sand  was  a  very  bounteous  spring,  more  precious 
than  gold  or  jewels,  holding  only  a  second  place  to 
Allah,  Whose  prophet  is  Mohammed,  in  the  esteem  of 
the  fellaheen,  but  being  a  playful  spring,  almost  dis- 
appearing at  one  moment  to  gush  out  the  next,  artesian 
wells  had  been  made  so  that  the  oasis  should  not  de- 
pend solely  upon  her  caprices,  though,  be  it  confessed, 
she  had  bubbled  and  laughed  her  way  contentedly 

144 


DESERT  LOVE  145 

through  many  years,  and  had  even  deigned  to  widen 
into  a  diminutive  lake,  which  lay  between  the  prin- 
cipal dwelling-place,  which  contained  the  sleeping  apart- 
ments and  living  rooms  of  the  master,  and  the  house 
which  had  been  built  on  the  same  principle  for  the 
innumerable  guests,  and  the  quarters,  hidden  from 
view  by  a  belt  of  palms,  in  which  such  servants  as  were 
necessary  to  the  well-being  of  the  house  cooked  and 
worked  and  entertained  such  wayfarers  as  were  of  their 
own  station. 

Many  figures  had  seemingly  sprung  from  nowhere 
at  the  sound  of  the  padded  feet,  which  were  only  pre- 
vented from  breaking  into  a  swift  trot  by  the  voice  of 
the  man  who  guided  them. 

These  figures  had  salaamed  deeply,  and  lifted  up 
their  hands  to  the  starry  heavens  as  though  to  call 
down  a  blessing  upon  the  heads  of  those  who  passed, 
but  they  had  not  approached  until  the  Arab  suddenly 
cried  aloud  a  name,  whereupon  a  figure,  standing  apart, 
had  sped  quickly  forward,  salaamed,  listened  to  his 
master's  words,  and  had  sped  away  as  silently  as  a 
panther,  as  swiftly  as  a  deer. 

"  Your  runner,  O !  woman,  who,  after  your  slave,  is 
the  swiftest  in  all  Asia  and  Africa.  If  ever  you  would 
speak  with  me,  and  I  were  perchance  afar  off,  bid  that 
man  to  your  presence,  give  him  your  message  in  script 
or  word  of  mouth,  and  say  but,  '  Thy  master  —  Cairo,' 
or  wherever  I  might  sojourn,  and  he  will  find  me,  over 
desert  sands  or  mountain  range;  he  would  die  for  me, 
and  therefore  he  would  die  for  you. 

"  We  approach  the  grounds  around  your  dwelling, 
may  it  find  favour  in  your  eyes." 


146  DESERT  LOVE 

Gradually  the  grass  had  deepened  and  softened,  un- 
til like  a  velvet  carpet  it  lay  spread.  Great  groves  of 
dates  threw  ink-black  shadows,  slender  palms  with  feath- 
ery heads  swayed  slightly  in  the  dawn-coming  wind, 
when  suddenly  of  their  own  accord  the  camels  stopped. 

To  right  and  left  as  far  as  the  dim  light  allowed, 
Jill  saw  what  looked  to  her  like  an  impenetrable  wall. 

"  This  is  the  dividing  line,  a  high  wall  with  its  naked- 
ness covered  in  creepers,  which  separates  your  dwelling 
from  the  land  upon  which  common  feet  may  tread. 
No  one  can  pass  without  the  permission  of  Mustapha, 
the  blackest  of  all  black  negroes;  no  one  can  leave,  not 
even  my  guests,  unless  they  are  accompanied  by  some 
one  of  the  servants  of  my  house.  Thus  will  you  be 
safe  in  the  care  of  black  Mustapha,  even  if  I  should 
be  called  to  a  distance  from  which  I  cannot  guard  you 
from  harm.  Enter,  O!  woman,  and  may  the  blessing 
of  Allah  fall  upon  you,  even  as  the  petals  of  the  purple 
flower  will  fall  upon  your  head." 

And  they  fell  in  showers  from  the  purple  bougain- 
villaea which  trailed  its  length  over  the  wrought  arch 
above  the  gate,  of  which  one  half  swung  back  by  the 
hand  of  the  biggest,  blackest  man  ever  dreamed  of  in 
nightmarious  slumber. 

"  Master !  Master !  "  cried  the  product  of  Africa, 
and,  prostrating  himself,  flung  the  desert  sand  upon 
his  woolly  pate;  then  rising,  ran  towards  the  man  who 
owned  him,  lifting  the  black  cloak  to  his  huge  mouth 
through  which  scintillated  white,  unblemished  ivories. 

The  Arab  stretched  out  his  hand,  and  laying  it  upon 
the  girl's  cloak  spake  but  one  word,  upon  which  the 
negro  once  more  prostrated  himself  before  Jill's  camel. 


DESERT  LOVE  147 

covering  his  already  sandy  hair  with  yet  more  glisten- 
ing particles,  murmuring  something  unintelligible,  un- 
til a  sharp  word  brought  him  to  his  feet,  whereupon 
he  backed  towards  the  gates,  flinging  them  wide  apart, 
falling  upon  his  knees  as  the  camels  stalked  disdain- 
fully through  the  opening. 

Through  a  long  avenue  of  trees  they  passed,  the 
trunks  twisted  into  uncouth  shapes,  the  heads  of  long 
spear-shaped  leaves  glistening  as  though  drenched  in 
dew,  the  roots  buried  in  masses  of  flowering  shrubs, 
behind  all  of  which  showed  an  occasional  glint  of  dis- 
tant water. 

The  camels  made  their  sedate  way  across  a  great 
plain  of  grass,  stretching  without  a  break  from  the 
avenue  up  to  a  belt  of  palms,  before  which  they  stopped, 
swayed  a  moment,  grunting  disapprovingly  in  chorus, 
and  knelt. 

"  Your  journey's  end  is  here,  and  even  though  it 
should  prove  the  last  effort  of  your  will  to  combat 
the  fatigue  which  surely  crushes  your  slight  form,  yet 
will  I  ask  you  to  give  me  your  hand  so  that  I  may  lead 
you  to  your  dwelling,  as  by  the  will  of  Allah  I  will 
lead  you  slowly  or  quickly  to  that  which  we  call  happi- 
ness." 

And  as  he  spoke  the  Arab  slipped  from  his  camel, 
to  stand  tall  and  straight  beside  the  little  figure  en- 
veloped from  head  to  foot  in  a  long  dark  veil,  from  out 
of  the  folds  of  which  stretched  a  little  hand,  pulling  the 
flimsy  covering  from  the  lower  part  of  the  face. 

"Nay,  that  you  must  not  do,  for  behold!  although 
you  see  them  not  the  tenders  of  my  camels  hover 
around,  waiting  till  we  have  passed  on  to  fall  upon 


148  DESERT  LOVE 

those  three  beasts  and  lead  them  to  their  stables. 
Come!" 

The  silence  was  intense  between  the  two  as  Jill,  with 
her  hand  in  that  of  the  Arab,  passed  slowly  over  the 
grass  up  to  a  long,  low,  two-storeyed  house  which,  with 
two  wings,  made  a  quadrangle  round  a  great  court,  in 
the  middle  of  which  splashed  a  fountain.  A  multitude 
of  figures  stood  absolutely  motionless  under  the  palms 
surrounding  the  house,  who,  even  as  the  two  passed, 
with  one  accord,  called  aloud  as  they  raised  their  right 
hands  to  heaven : 

"  Allah  —  Jal-Jelalah  !  "  which,  being  translated, 
means :  "  Praise  to  God  the  Almighty !  "  disappear- 
ing on  a  sign  from  their  master  as  he  turned  to  ex- 
plain to  Jill  that  this  being  his  first  visit  in  six  months, 
hie  servants,  with  twenty-four  weeks  of  grievances  and 
domestic  feud  upon  their  minds,  and  a  near  prospect 
of  being  able  to  unburden  themselves,  were  doubtlessly 
delighted  to  see  their  master. 

Jill  passed  into  the  house  too  dazed  to  notice  much 
of  her  surroundings,  heard  the  swish  of  silk  curtains 
closing  behind  her,  and  stood  alone  in  a  most  exquisite 
room. 

Six  lamps,  hung  from  the  ceiling  by  bronze  chains, 
threw  a  shaded  light  upon  the  soft-toned  Persian  rugs 
covering  the  floor;  a  divan  piled  high  with  silken  cush- 
ions of  every  shade  of  mauve,  covered  with  silken 
sheets,  and  smothered  in  the  white  folds  of  a  mosquito 
net,  stood  against  the  far  wall ;  there  were  small  inlaid 
tables,  piles  of  cushions,  and  a  dressing-table  glitter- 
ing with  crystal  and  silver  in  the  light  of  the  lamps, 
and  a  small  fire  which  flung  out  sweet  resinous  odours 


DESERT  LOVE  149 

from  the  burning  logs;  stretching  right  across  one 
wall,  a  low  cupboard  showed  gleaming  satins  and  soft 
silks  behind  its  open  doors,  and  through  an  archway 
of  fretted  cedar-wood  she  saw  a  Roman  bath  of  tiles, 
into  which  you  enter  by  descending  shallow  steps,  and 
over  which  hung  a  lamp  with  glass  shade  of  many 
colours.  Little  white  tables  smothered  in  towels  and 
bottles  and  little  pots  stood  about,  and  across  a  low 
seat  was  thrown  a  garment  of  shimmering  gold  and 
silver  cobwebby  tissue.  Dusty,  tired  Jill  stretched  out 
her  arms,  opened  the  cupboard  doors  wider,  and  in- 
spected the  garments  therein  one  by  one. 

And  she  frowned. 

A  net  had  been  spun  in  which  she  had  been  caught, 
her  silly  ears  had  listened  to  an  absurd  tale,  she  had 
stretched  out  a  greedy  hand  to  pluck  an  unknown 
fruit  to  find  it  bitter;  in  one  brief  word  she  had  been 
fooled.  Whereupon  she  pulled  back  the  silken  curtain 
of  the  door  with  a  vicious  rasp,  which  seemed  to  have 
spread  to  her  voice  when  she  called  aloud.  The  cur- 
tain swung  back  as  the  Arab  entered,  murmuring  the 
Eastern  prayer  of  greeting,  and  though  furious,  and 
therefore  ripe  to  cut  and  hurt  with  woman's  weapon, 
the  tongue,  the  girl  stood  still  and  silent  for  a  moment, 
instinctively  feeling  that  tale  or  no  tale,  net  or  no, 
the  great  man  before  her  was  master  here,  though 
no  one  would  have  guessed  at  her  momentary  weak- 
ness as  she  flung  open  the  cupboard  doors  to  their 
widest,  and  taking  an  armful  of  soft  feminine  attire, 
held  them  out  for  the  inspection  of  the  grave  Arab, 
whilst  her  voice  rang  through  the  room,  giving  exactly 
the  same  impression  of  trouble  as  does  the  wind  which, 


150  DESERT  LOVE 

springing  from  nowhere,  usually  precedes  the  storm. 

"  You  said  no  woman  save  an  old  peasant  had  ever 
placed  foot  within  this  house.  If  so,  what  do  these 
Eastern  things  mean  ? "  holding  out  as  she  spoke  a 
feminine  something  which  seemed  to  be  composed  of 
sea-form  and  pearls. 

"  For  myself  I  only  see  a  few  bedroom  wraps,  and 
—  and  a  garment  in  —  in  the  bathroom." 

And  her  heart  suddenly  stopped  a  beat,  and  then 
made  the  blank  up  by  multiplying  the  next,  for  she 
had  seen  the  man's  face  as  he  had  taken  the  offending 
garment,  and  tearing  it  across  and  again  across,  dropped 
it  at  his  feet,  before  he  moved  slowly  towards  her  across 
the  dividing  space  to  take  her  two  hands  in  his,  hold- 
ing them  against  his  breast  in  a  clasp  that  hurt. 

"  Listen,"  he  said.  "  I  shall  speak  this  once  and 
never  again !  Listen !  "  For  a  moment  the  quiet  voice 
stopped,  so  that  the  gentle  cracking  of  the  burning 
logs  could  alone  be  heard  above  the  heavy  thud  of  the 
girl's  heart,  which  to  her  ears  sounded  like  thunder 
of  the  surf  at  dawn.  "  You  are  mine,  mine,  do  you 
understand  ?  You  are  no  silly  child,  you  knew  what 
you  were  doing  when  you  came  with  me,  neither  am 
I  a  man,  for  man  or  woman  to  play  with.  And  now 
I  have  you,  as  Allah  is  above  us,  I  will  never  let  you 
go,  for  although  the  oasis  and  the  camels  and  horses 
are  yours,  you  will  find  no  soul  to  lead  the  beast  across 
the  sands  so  covered  with  the  bleaching  bones  of  those 
who  have  gone  astray.  Oh !  be  not  afraid,"  for  the 
little  face  beneath  his  was  white.  "  You  are  mistress 
here.  You  need  but  draw  the  curtain  and  no  one  will 
enter,  no  one  until  you  clap  your  hands  and  call  fhem 


DESEET  LOVE  151 

by  name.  You  will  forgive  the  lowly  room  which  en- 
tours  you,  and  the  unseemly  garments  which  in  haste 
I  ordered,  guessing  at  what  you  might  require.  To- 
morrow you  shall  order  what  you  will,  and  your  slaves 
shall  bring  all  from  the  great  cities  at  the  greatest 
speed,  for  as  I  have  said,  a  dwelling  worthy  of  your 
beauty  shall  be  erected  before  many  moons  have  sped. 
I  will  leave  you,  for  doubtless  you  would  remove  your 
dust-laden  raiment.  I  will  send  your  slave,  who  even 
now  is  returning  thanks  to  Allah  in  that  I  have  found 
her  worthy  to  wait  upon  you,  and  who  also  prepares 
some  dishes  for  your  refreshment.  You  are  not  hun- 
gry, and  you  do  not  wish  her  presence!  Then  shall 
she  not  disturb  you." 

And  Jill  found  herself  alone,  upon  which  she  took 
stock  of  herself  in  a  long  mirror  which  stretched  from 
floor  to  ceiling,  and  hurriedly  removed  her  outer  gar- 
ments. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

IT  was  a  very  beautiful  girl  who  stood  by  the  fire 
listening  to  the  intense  silence  which  precedes  the  dawn. 
The  golden  shimmering  garment  fell  from  her  shoul- 
ders in  soft  folds,  clinging  her  and  there  as  though  it 
loved  the  beautiful  form  it  covered;  her  feet  slipped 
in  and  out  of  the  golden  mules,  in  which,  try  as  she 
would,  she  could  not  walk;  her  hair  fell  in  two  great 
plaits  far  below  her  knees ;  she  was  perfumed  with  the 
perfumes  of  Egypt,  than  which  there  is  no  more  to 
say. 

And  she  was  afraid. 

There  was  absolutely  no  sound,  save  for  the  fall  of 
a  charred  log  which  sounded  like  a  pistol  shot,  the 
rustle  of  her  raiment,  which  sounded  like  the  incoming 
tide  of  some  invisible  sea,  and  the  quick  intake  of  her 
breath,  which  might  have  meant  unadulterated  terror, 
and  —  did. 

She  shivered  slightly,  for  of  a  sudden  she  saw  a 
woman's  face  in  a  corner  unreached  by  the  light  of  the 
lamp.  A  long  brown  hand  drew  back  the  coarse  hair, 
which  curled  and  tangled  under  a  veil,  black  brows 
frowned  down  on  great  eyes,  which  looked  at  her 
steadily,  but  the  mouth,  crimson  as  blood,  parted  in  a 
smile  wonderful  to  behold  in  its  understanding,  as  Jill 
called  softly : 

"  Speak,  woman !  who  are  you  ?  " 
152 


DESERT  LOVE  153 

But  when  the  silence  remained  unbroken,  and  the 
girl,  rushing  swiftly  across  the  room,  touched  just 
ordinary  wood,  she  looked  quickly  round  for  escape; 
then  hesitating,  raised  her  hands  and  clapped  them 
softly ;  raised  them  again  when  the  silence  remained  un- 
broken, dropped  them  and  once  more  shook  with  terror, 
which  was  really  fatigue,  when  a  something  rustled  be- 
hind, being  in  truth  the  catching  of  her  garment  on 
the  fretted  edge  of  a  table ;  then  once  more  she  clapped 
her  hands  as  she  whispered,  so  low  that  the  words  hardly 
seemed  to  carry  beyond  the  firelight : 

"Hahmed!     Hahmed!" 

Whereupon  there  was  a  faint  rustle,  the  swinging  to 
and  fro  of  the  curtain  door,  and  the  man  stood  before 
her.  Not  a  sound  broke  the  stillness,  not  a  movement 
caused  a  flicker  to  the  flame  of  the  shaded  hanging 
lamp,  which,  just  above  the  girl's  head,  threw  down 
the  light  on  the  radiance  of  her  hair,  and  the  wonder 
of  her  body  which  the  diaphanous  garment  half  con- 
cealed and  half  revealed. 

Xot  a  sign  on  the  Arab's  face,  this  dweller  of  the 
desert,  whose  forefathers  in  wonderment  had  watched 
the  ways  of  wisdom  with  which  Solomon  in  all  his 
glory  had  ruled  more  than  one  fair  and  obstreperous 
woman  among  the  scented  Eastern  sands. 

Face  to  face  they  stood,  whilst  the  racing  blood  fled 
from  the  girl's  face  down  to  the  finger-tips  of  her  con- 
tradictory hands.  The  hands  she  knew  so  well,  the 
square  back,  the  square  finger-tips,  the  long,  square, 
high-mooned,  deeply  laid  nail.  Hands  which,  coming 
to  her  down  the  centuries  through  Quaker  and  through 
Puritan,  were  calling  to  her  to  stand  firm  and  hold  the 


154  DESERT  LOVE 

scales  well-balanced,  whilst  the  soft,  rounded  palm, 
hidden  in  the  golden  fringe  of  her  garment,  and  the 
over-sensitive  finger-tips,  with  little  nerve-filled  cush- 
ions at  the  end  of  each,  clamoured  aloud  for  beauty 
and  sweetness,  tenderness  and  mastery,  as  the  great 
man,  with  the  beads  of  Allah  slipping  noiselessly 
through  his  fingers,  reading  the  girl's  thoughts  as 
though  they  were  written  on  the  wall,  marked  and 
watched  with  sombre  eyes  in  the  breathless  silence  of 
the  coming  dawn. 

Slowly  the  girl  raised  her  eyes  and  scanned  the  man, 
from  the  snow-white  turban  on  the  dark  head,  the  soft- 
ness of  the  silken  shirt,  showing  through  the  long,  open, 
orange  satin  front  of  the  voluminous  coat,  which 
reached  almost  to  the  ankles,  leaving  exposed  the 
trousers  of  softest  white  linen,  fastened  close  above  the 
leather  shoes,  whilst  quite  subconsciously  she  wondered 
what  he  would  look  like  in  European  evening  dress. 

Slowly  she  stretched  out  her  long  thin  arms,  until 
they  almost  touched  the  golden  embroidery  on  the  coat, 
as  slowly  she  turned  her  hands,  and  looked  at  the  glit- 
tering nails,  the  hands  she  knew  and  feared  so  much, 
and  turning  them  back  again,  with  a  little  smile  drew 
a  finger-tip  over  the  hills  and  valleys  of  the  palms. 
Higher  still,  until  the  pink  and  scented  palms  were 
on  a  line  with  the  man's  stern  mouth,  whilst  a  sigh, 
faint  as  the  passing  of  a  fly's  wing,  left  his  lips,  as 
taking  the  little  hands  in  his,  he  drew  the  girl  closer 
yet. 

"  Behold,  you  are  beautiful,  O !  woman,  whom  I 
would  take  to  wife.  You  start!  Why!  For  what 
manner  of  man  have  you  taken  me?  Did  you  think 


DESERT  LOVE  155 

that  being  an  Arab  means  being  without  honour  ?  Nay ! 
When  my  eyes  fell  upon  you  standing  in  the  sun,  I 
knew  that  my  heart  had  found  its  desire,  that  the 
woman  who  for  all  these  years  had,  invisible  to  others, 
walked  beside  me  in  my  waking  hours,  and  hovered 
near  me  in  my  dreams,  had  come  to  life;  that  before 
me,  if  Allah  willed,  stood  my  wife  and  the  mother  of 
my  children.  I  know  that  the  English  race,  from  lack 
of  sun  perchance,  love  not  in  a  moment  with  a  love 
that  can  outlast  eternity.  I  do  not  ask  you  if  you  love 
me,  only  that  you  will  be  my  wife,  honouring  me  above 
all  men,  delighting  me  with  such  moments  as  you  can 
give  me. 

"  Listen,  O !  woman.  I  ask  of  you  nothing  until  you 
shall  love  me.  You  shall  draw  the  curtains  of  your 
apartment,  and  until  you  call  me,  you  shall  go  undis- 
turbed. When  you  shall  call  me  —  then  —  ah !  "  and 
his  voice  sank  to  infinite  depths  of  tenderness  as  he 
drew  her  to  him  — "  then  you  will  be  all  mine  —  all  — 
lily  of  the  night  you  are  now  —  rose  of  the  morning  you 
will  be  then,  and  I  —  I  will  wear  that  rose  upon  my 
heart.  You  are  even  as  a  necklace  of  rich  jewels,  O ! 
my  beloved.  Your  eyes  are  the  turquoise,  your  teeth 
are  the  white  pearls,  even  as  the  ravishing  marks  upon 
your  face,1  and  may  be  upon  that  part  of  your  body 
upon  which  my  eyes  may  not  rest,  are  as  black  pearls 
of  the  rarest.  Your  lips  are  redder  than  rubies,  and 
your  fingers  are  of  ivory. 

"  And  one  day  shall  that  necklace  be  placed  in  my 
hands,  and  not  alone  the  necklace,  but  the  white  ala- 

1  Moles  are  considered  a  great  beauty  among  the  Egyptian 
races. 


156  DESERT  LOVE 

bastei  pillar  of  your  body,  from  your  feet  like  lotus 
flowers,  to  the  golden  rain  of  your  hair,  shall  you  be 
mine. 

"And  you  shall  not  make  me  wait  too  long,  for 
behold,  I  love  you.  Allah !  how  I  love  you  —  as  only 
we  men  of  the  desert  love.  Allah  help  me,"  and  hold- 
ing the  girl  in  the  bend  of  his  left  arm,  so  that  she 
felt  the  racing  of  his  heart,  he  raised  his  eyes  and  right 
hand  to  Heaven.  "  Allah !  God  of  all,  give  me  this 
rose  soon !  " 

For  one  long  moment  the  girl  was  still,  with  face  as 
white  as  death,  and  great  eyes  troubled  even  as  the 
ocean  when  swept  by  gusts  of  wind;  for  to  the  very 
depths  of  her  stirred  her  heritage  of  tremendous  pas- 
sions, untouched,  unknown,  whilst  that  which  is  in  all 
women,  from  queen  to  coster,  coming  down  from  the 
day  when  they  were  slaves,  that  which  urges  them  to 
cry  aloud,  "  Master !  Master !  "  upon  their  bended 
knees,  stirred  not  at  all ;  so  that  even  as  her  eyes,  so 
was  her  soul  troubled,  knowing  that  love  had  not  yet- 
laid  hand  to  draw  the  curtains  from  about  her  woman- 
hood. 

Freeing  herself  gently,  she  moved  towards  the  fire, 
trailing  the  golden  raiment  after  her  so  that  it  pulled 
against  the  beauty  of  her  body.  For  a  moment  she 
stood  unconsciously  silhouetted  against  the  wall,  vir- 
ginal in  her  whiteness  and  her  slinmess,  and  yet,  in 
her  build  alone,  giving  such  promise  of  greater  beauty, 
in  the  maturity  of  love. 

Slowly,  whilst  her  mind  worked,  she  traced  the  blue 
vein  from  her  wrist  up  her  forearm,  up  until  the  finger 


DESERT  LOVE  157 

stopped  suddenly,  upon  a  tiny  mark  tattooed  just  above 
the  elbow. 

A  faint  shadow  of  incomprehension  swept  across  the 
man's  face,  for  from  nowhere,  in  one  brief  instant,  a 
little  wind,  laden  with  straying  particles  of  fear,  dis- 
trust and  memories,  swept  between  the  two,  as  the 
girl's  voice,  biting  in  its  coldness,  searing  great  scars 
upon  the  Arab's  raging,  storming,  totally  hidden  pride, 
let  fall  slowly,  cruelly,  light-spoken,  mocking  words  of 
French. 

"  Please  tell  me  my  woman's  name,  so  that  I  may 
call  her,  for  I  would  disrobe,  being  overcome  by  a  great 
desire  to  —  sleep !  " 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE  sun  in  a  great  red-gold  ball  was  slipping  behind 
the  sharp  edge  of  sand  which  like  a  steel  wire  marked 
the  far  horizon,  the  sky  resembling  some  gorgeous 
Eastern  mantle  stretched  red  and  orange  and  purple 
from  the  West,  fastened  by  one  enormous  scintillating 
diamond  star  to  the  pink,  grey,  fawn  and  faintest  helio- 
trope shroud  which  the  dying  day  was  wrapping  around 
her  in  the  East. 

Terrific  had  been  the  heat  throughout  he  month, 
wilting  the  palms,  drawing  iridescent  vapours  from  the 
diminished  stream,  making  the  very  sand  too  hot  even 
for  native  feet. 

The  green  reed  blinds  sheltering  the  great  balcony 
room,  and  over  which,  in  the  heat  of  the  day,  trickled 
a  continuous  stream  of  water,  were  drawn  up  to  allow 
the  sunset  breeze  to  pass  right  through  the  long  two- 
storeyed  building  which,  the  essence  of  coolness,  com- 
fort, and  beauty,  in  the  past  months  by  the  efforts 
of  countless  skilled  workmen,  hailing  from  every  con- 
ceivable corner  of  Asia  and  Egypt,  and  regardless  of 
expense  and  labour,  had  been  built  for  one  beautiful 
English  girl,  who,  in  a  moment  of  ever  regretted  con- 
trariness, had  refused  to  participate  in  the  planning 
and  devising  of  the  work,  thereby  shutting  herself  off 
from  that  most  fascinating  pastime,  house-building; 
leaving  everything  down  to  the  minutest  details  to  the 
imagination,  ingenuity,  and  inventive  genius  of  the 

158 


DESERT  LOVE  159 

Arab.  For  months  she  had  listened  to  the  monotonous 
chant  of  the  men  at  work,  the  tap  of  hammer,  swish  of 
saw,  and  dull  thud  of  machinery,  and  also  to  the  grunt- 
ing and  grumbling  of  the  camels  who,  in  great  cara- 
vans from  every  point  of  the  compass,  had  complain- 
iiiii'ly  brought  their  burdens  of  riches. 

The  groves  of  great  date  palms  around  her  tem- 
porary abode  had  prevented  her  from  seeing  the  out- 
come of  all  the  noise,  her  misplaced  pride  or  temper, 
or  whatever  you  will,  likewise  preventing  her  from  in- 
quiring as  to  the  progress  made  from  the  Arab,  who, 
at  her  bidding,  would  come  and  sit  with  her,  talking 
gravely  upon  absolutely  indifferent  subjects,  neither 
showing  by  word  or  gesture  if  she  were  any  more  to 
him  than  the  rug  beneath  his  feet. 

Just  a  month  ago,  when  the  moon  was  at  the  full, 
Jill  had  made  what  she  whimsically  called  the  moon- 
light flitting. 

Veiled  closely,  she  had  put  her  hand  into  that  of 
the  man,  and  confidingly  walked  with  him  through  the 
pitch  blackness  of  the  palm  groves,  and  out  into  the 
moon-filled  space  beyond  the  lake,  until  they  reached 
and  stopped  before  a  heavy  iron  door  let  into  a  mas- 
sive wall,  the  top  of  which  bore  a  crown  of  flashing, 
razor-edged,  needle-pointed  steel  blades. 

"  The  treasure  of  the  world  will  be  safe  behind  those 
walls,  for  behold,  there  are  but  two  golden  keys  with 
which  to  open  the  door,  one  is  yours  the  other  mine. 
To  Mustapha  has  been  confided  the  safe-keeping  of  the 
walls,  and  with  it  power  to  kill  whoever  should  ap- 
proach within  ten  yards  without  your  permit." 

And  the  girl  turned  quickly  as  the  door  swung  to 


160  DESERT  LOVE 

softly,  with  the  scarcely  perceptible  click  of  a  lock,  and 
then  moved  forward  with  as  much  indifference  as  she 
could  muster  on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  feeling  the 
eyes  of  the  Arab  upon  her.  Gardens  stretched  before 
her  with  groves,  and  arbours,  and  every  device  con- 
ceivable for  throwing  shade  upon  her  path.  The 
stream,  bending  in  an  S,  rippled  and  laughed  its  way 
under  the  little  bridges;  fountains  splashed,  seats  of 
marble,  Beats  of  scented  wood,  little  tables,  silken  awn- 
ings and  screens,  hanging  lanterns  of  many  colours, 
and  swinging  hammocks  made  of  the  place  a  fairyland ; 
until  suddenly,  as  she  turned  the  last  curve  of  the 
stream,  she  saw  the  marble  building,  built  as  it  were 
by  the  waving  of  a  magic  wand,  glistening  in  the  silver 
light. 

Imagine  four  buildings  about  the  height  of  Buck- 
ingham Palace,  without  the  attic  windows,  or  whatever 
they  represent,  built  to  form  a  square  of  snow-white 
gleaming  marble,  with  verandahs  built  out  and  sup- 
ported by  fairy  marble  pillars,  so  as  to  throw  the  lower 
rooms  into  complete  shade;  more  fairy  pillars  spring- 
ing from  the  upper  side  of  the  verandahs  to  support 
the  wide  edge  of  the  roof,  and  so  make  a  great  covered- 
in  balcony  to  the  second  floor. 

The  French  windows,  divided  by  columns  of  differ- 
ent coloured  marble,  terminated  in  perfect  arches, 
studded  with  great  lumps  of  uncut  amethyst,  turquoise 
matrix,  and  blocks  of  quartz  in  which  dully  gleamed  the 
yellow  of  gold,  reminding  Jill  somewhat  of  the  outer 
decorations  of  a  shop  she  had  once  seen  in  the  Nevski 
Prospekt,  the  owner  of  which,  dealing  in  objeis  d'arts, 


DESERT  LOVE  161 

and  precious  bibelots  of  jade  and  sich,  had  quite  suc- 
cessfully thought  out  the  novel  and  expensive  advertis- 
ing method  of  plastering  the  front  of  his  shop  with 
chunks  of  the  precious  metal  with  which  the  bibelots 
were  made.  The  drops  of  a  myriad  slender  fountain 
jets,  caught  in  the  light  of  the  hanging  lanterns,  spar- 
kled and  flashed  like  handfuls  of  precious  stones,  and  an 
almost  overpowering  perfume  filled  the  air  from  flowers 
only  half-asleep. 

A  great  gate  of  silver  and  bronze  opened  silently  to 
admit  them  to  the  inner  courtyard,  only  the  rolling, 
glistening  eyeballs  of  Mustapha,  the  eunuch,  showing 
that  there  was  any  life  whatever  in  the  massive  black 
hulk  standing  within  the  shadow. 

Just  for  a  moment  the  girl  stood  absolutely  motion- 
less, and  then  turned  sharply  as  a  noiseless  shape  stole 
past  her,  and  purring  loudly  rose  on  its  hind  feet  and 
laid  its  velvety  paws  upon  the  Arab's  shoulder,  drop- 
ping back  in  a  crouching  position  as  Jill,  exclaiming 
softly,  involuntarily  stepped  forward  and  laid  her  hand 
protectingly  upon  the  man's  arms. 

It  takes  a  long  time  to  write,  but  hardly  a  second 
had  passed  before  the  great  animal,  snarling  viciously, 
shot  out  its  velvety  paw,  plus  a  row  of  steel-strong 
claws,  and  ripped  the  girl's  cloak  open  from  neck  to 
knee.  And  then  indeed  did  black  Mustapha  rise  to 
the  occasion,  and  in  his  master's  esteem,  as  also  with- 
out a  sound  he  shot  out  an  ebony  black  arm,  gnarled 
and  knotted  like  any  centuries  old  bough  of  oak, 
terminating  in  an  ebony  black  hand,  which  could  have 
easily  been  divided  between  four  normal  men,  and 


162  DESERT  LOVE 

still  left  a  bit  over,  and  picking  up  the  fighting,  claw- 
ing animal  by  the  neck,  held  it  lightly  at  arm's  length, 
whilst  awaiting  dumbly  his  master's  order. 

"  Kill  it,"  said  Hahmed  briefly. 

And  whilst  Jill  pinched  herself  to  see  if  she  was 
really  there  or  no,  the  eunuch,  with  joy-filled  eye,  and 
teeth  glistening  in  a  smile  of  utter  satisfaction,  gently 
tightened  his  grip  on  the  velvety,  tawny  throat. 

There  was  a  stifled  growl,  a  click,  and  the  dead  ani- 
mal was  laid  at  the  girl's  slender  feet. 

"  My  favourite  hunting  cheetah,  O !  woman !  Be- 
hold, Mustapha,  shalt  thou  spread  the  news  of  its  un- 
timely end  as  a  warning  to  all  those  who,  by  sign  of 
hand  or  word  of  mouth  or  thought  of  brain,  should 
desire  to  do  harm  to  thy  mistress.  And  even  shalt 
thou  tell  me  how  yon  dead  beast  came  to  be  prowling 
in  the  seclusion  of  thy  mistress's  abode." 

Great  beads  of  perspiration  broke  out  on  the  face 
and  neck  of  the  scared  man,  as  he  salaamed  deeply 
before  his  master,  and  knelt  to  beat  his  forehead  upon 
the  ground  before  the  woman. 

"  Behold,  O !  master !  And  may  Allah  grant  me 
years  of  life  within  the  blessing  of  thy  shadow.  A 
slave  returning  from  the  exercising  and  feeding  of 
four,  O !  master,  of  thy  hunting  cheetahs,  came  to  me 
this  noon  full  of  idle  curiosity.  Behold,  I  spoke  with 
him  outside  the  open  gate,  and  perchance  yon  dead 
brute  crept  in  unnoticed,  whilst  I  pointed  out  the  evil 
of  his  ways  and  those  of  his  ancestors ;  also,  perchance 
fatigued  and  full  of  meat,  the  animal  lay  down  and 
slept  until  she  heard  the  tread  of  thy  honoured  foot- 
steps; perchance  also  thy  slave,  fatigued  and  also  full 


DESERT  LOVE  163 

of  meat,  passing  the  hours  in  slumber,  troubled  not 
to  count  the  animals  in  his  care." 

For  one  moment  there  was  silence  as  the  Arab  stood 
looking  at  the  trembling  man,  then  Jill,  laying  her  little 
hand  gently  upon  the  satin  sleeve  of  him  whom  she 
loved,  whispered  softly: 

"  A  boon,  O  !  Hahmed !  I  know  —  I  feel  that  you 
are  planning  the  death  of  this  wretched  man.  I  ask 
his  life !  " 

By  this  time  Mustapha  was  prone  upon  his  face, 
piling  imaginary  dust  from  the  spotless  mosaic  pave- 
ment upon  his  woolly  pate,  scrambling  to  his  shaking 
knees  on  a  word  from  his  master. 

"  Get  to  thy  feet  and  make  obeisance  to  thy  mistress, 
who  in  her  manifold  bounty  has  saved  this  time  thy 
worthless  life.  For  behold,  I  had  planned  to  give  my 
people  a  holiday  in  which  to  see  thee  whipped  round 
the  wall  of  thy  mistress's  dwelling,  until  thou  had  died ; 
then  would  thy  black  skin  have  been  ripped  from  thy 
worthless  carcass,  and  pinned  to  the  ground  before  the 
camel  paddock,  so  that  in  their  goings  in  and  coming 
out  they  would  have  befouled  what  remained  of  thee 
uneaten  by  the  vultures." 

And  taking  Jill's  hand  he  crossed  the  square,  leaving 
the  eunuch  absolutely  gibbering  with  relief. 

Through  a  massive  iron  door  they  passed  into  the 
house,  Jill  exclaiming  softly  at  the  beauty  of  the  place. 
Room  after  room  they  traversed  until  they  came  to 
a  standstill  before  a  satin  curtain.  Hahmed  lifted  it 
and  Jill  entered  a  great  room,  the  floor  of  which  was 
of  pink  marble,  covered  in  Persian  rugs,  their  colour- 
ing softened  in  the  passing  oi'  many,  oh !  many  moons ; 


164  DESEKT  LOVE 

the  walls  panelled  in  soft  brocade,  and  great  mirrors 
reflecting  the  simplicity  of  the  exquisite  hangings,  the 
tint  of  flowers,  the  statuary  gleaming  half  hidden  in 
the  corners,  the  great  chairs,  the  piles  of  cushions, 
and  the  swinging  lamps  suspended  from  the  ceiling  by 
silver  chains. 

"  I  will  explain,  O !  woman,  how  this  house  has  been 
built,  though  verily  would  I  have  had  your  help  in 
these  past  months,  for  how  was  I  to  know  in  what  or 
which  your  desires  lay. 

"  Behold,  the  rooms  upon  the  level  of  the  ground 
are  rooms  for  your  repasts,  and  rooms  for  receiving 
your  guests;  above  are  the  rooms  for  your  slumber, 
and  your  toilet,  for  the  bathing  of  your  white  body, 
and  for  your  entertainment.  In  the  latter  you  will 
find  all  that  appertains  to  music,  to  the  dance,  to  the 
study  of  books,  to  the  flash  of  the  needle.  Above  ag&ie 
are  the  rooms  open  to  the  breezes  of  the  night,  screened 
by  light  screens  to  enable  you,  unveiled,  to  look  out 
upon  the  world,  and  yet  keep  you  hidden  from  the 
curious  eyes  of  your  many  slaves  who,  under  the  rule 
of  black  Mustapha,  live  within  the  walls  and  near  to 
hand  to  do  your  slightest  bidding,  but  hidden  until 
you  call  so  as  not  to  disturb  you  by  their  unseemly 
presence.  They  may  not  die  within  the  wall,  neither 
may  they  give  birth  therein,  still  leas  may  they  make 
merry  without  your  permission.  The  slightest  breach 
of  your  laws  will  see  them  flogged  to  death  and  cast 
out  into  the  desert  sand.  One  suite  of  rooms  is  pink, 
and  one  white,  and  one  is  palest  heliotrope,  and  yet 
another  black,  and  there  are  many  others.  May  it 
find  favour  in  your  eyes.  If  perchance  it  pleases  not, 


DESERT  LOVE  165 

then  shall  it  be  razed  to  the  ground,  and  rebuilt  upon 
your  design." 

And  Jill  had  walked  through  a  building  such  as  she 
had  not  dreamed  of  in  her  wildest  fantasies,  and  hav- 
ing very  sweetly  thanked  the  Arab,  had  clapped  her 
hands,  and  being  of  perverse  mood,  had  indifferently 
bidden  him  good  night,  and  entered  the  rose  pink  sleep- 
ing-room where  the  couch  had  been  designed  by  love, 
and  the  colouring  reflected  by  the  great  mirrors  by  pas- 
sion ;  to  slip  from  out  her  perfumed  raiment,  and  step 
down  into  the  pink  marble  Roman  bath  and  hide  be- 
neath the  rose-tinted  waters,  the  rose-tinted  glory  of 
her  perfect  body. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

AND  just  as  the  dead  cheetah  was  laid  at  Jill's  feet, 
a  huge  bull  dog,  with  a  face  like  a  gargoyle  to  be  seen 
on  the  Western  transept  of  Notre-Dame,  and  a  chest 
like  a  steel  safe,  supported  on  legs  which  had  given 
way  under  the  weight,  walked  across  from  Sir  John 
Wetherbourne,  Bart.,  of  Bourne  Manor,  and  other  de- 
lectable mansions,  to  lay  his  snuffling,  stertorous  self 
at  the  feet  of  his  mistress,  the  Honourable  Mary  Biug- 
ham,  pronounced  Beam,  in  whose  sanctum  sat  the  man 
on  the  bleak  November  evening,  and  of  whom  he  had 
just  asked  advice. 

People  always  asked  advice  of  Mary,  she  was  of  that 
kind.  On  this  occasion  she  sat  looking  across  at  the 
man  she  loved,  and  had  always  loved,  just  as  he  loved 
and  had  always  lover  her,  since  the  days  they  had 
more  or  less  successfully  followed  the  hounds  on  fat 
ponies.  She  sat  meditatively  twisting  a  heavy  signet 
ring  up  and  down  her  little  finger.  The  finger,  the 
one  which  advises  the  world  of  the  fact  that  some 
man  in  it  has  singled  you  out  of  the  ruck  as  being  fit 
for  the  honour  of  wifehood,  was  unadorned,  showing 
neither  the  jewels  which  betoken  the  drawn-up  contract, 
nor  the  pure  gold  which  denotes  the  contract  fulfilled. 
Those  two  had  grown  up  in  the  knowledge  that  they 
would  some  time  marry,  though  never  a  word  had  been 
uttered,  and  being  sure  and  certain  of  each  other,  they 

166 


DESERT  LOVE  167 

had  never  worried,  or  forced  the  pace.  And  then  Jill 
had  disappeared !  Gone  was  their  pal,  their  little  sis- 
ter whom  they  had  petted  and  spoiled  from  the  day  she 
too  had  appeared  on  a  fat  pony,  gone  without  a  trace, 
leaving  these  two  honest  souls,  in  a  sudden  unnecessary 
burst  of  altruism,  to  come  to  a  mutual,  unspoken  un- 
derstanding that  their  love  must  be  laid  aside  in  folds 
of  soft  tissue,  that  they  must  turn  the  key  upon  their 
treasure,  until  such  time  as  definite  news  of  the  lost 
girl  should  allow  them  to  bring  it  out  with  decency, 
and  deck  it  with  orange  blossom.  And  worry  having 
entered  upon  them,  they  both  suddenly  discovered  that 
uncertainty  is  a  never-failing  aperitif,  and  they  both 
hungered  for  a  care-free  hour  like  unto  those  they  had 
carelessly  let  slip. 

Foolish  perhaps,  but  they  loved  Jill,  making  of  them- 
selves brother  and  sister;  hurt  to  the  quick  when  after 
the  debacle  she  had  sweetly  declined  all  offers  of  help, 
and  worried  to  death  when  she  had  started  out  on  the 
hare-brained  scheme  of  earning  her  own  living  off  her 
own  bat. 

Mary  Bingham  was  one  of  those  delightful  women 
peculiar  to  England,  restful  to  look  at,  restful  to  know. 
Her  thick,  glossy  brown  hair  was  coiled  neatly  in  plaits, 
no  matter  what  the  fashion;  her  skin,  devoid  of  pow- 
der, did  not  shine,  even  on  the  hottest  day;  her  smile 
was  a  benison,  and  her  teeth  and  horsemanship  perfect. 

Her  clothes?  Well,  she  was  tailor-made,  which 
means  that  near  a  horse  she  beat  other  women  to  a 
frazzle,  but  on  a  parquet  floor,  covered  with  dainty, 
wispy,  fox-trotting  damsels,  she  showed  up  like  a  di»v- 
ble  magenta-coloured  dahlia  in  a  bed  of  anemones. 


168  DESEKT  LOVE 

Jack  Wetherbourne  was  of  the  same  comfortable  and 
honest  type,  and  they  loved  each  other  in  a  tailor-made 
way ;  one  of  those  tailor-mades  of  the  best  tweed,  which, 
cut  without  distinctive  style,  is  warranted  with  an  occa- 
sional visit  to  the  cleaners  to  last  out  its  wearer ;  a  gar- 
ment you  can  always  reply  on,  and  be  sure  of  finding 
ready  for  use,  no  matter  how  long  you  have  kept  it 
hidden  in  your  old  oak  chest,  or  your  three-ply  ward- 
robe, or  whatever  kind  of  cupboard  you  may  have  man- 
aged to  make  out  of  your  life.  Although  no  word  of 
love  had  ever  passed  between  them,  you  would  have 
sworn  they  had  been  married  for  years,  as  they  sat  on 
each  side  of  the  fire ;  Mary  in  a  black  demi-toilette,  cut 
low  at  the  neck,  which  does  not  mean  decollete  by  any 
means,  but  which  does  invariably  spell  dowdiness,  and 
Jack  Wetherbourne  with  his  chin  in  his  hand,  and  a 
distinct  frown  on  his  usually  undisturbed  countenance. 

A  great  fire  crackled  in  the  old-fashioned  grate,  the 
flames  jumping  from  one  bit  of  wood  to  another,  throw- 
ing shadows  through  the  comfortable  room,  and  draw- 
ing dull  lustre  from  the  highly  polished  floor  and 
Jacobean  furniture.  It  was  an  extraordinarily  restful 
room  for  a  woman,  for  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
hunting  pictures  in  heavy  frames  on  the  wall,  a  few 
hunting  trophies  on  solid  tables,  some  books  and  a  big 
box  of  chocolates,  there  were  no  feminine  fripperies, 
no  photographs,  nothing  with  a  ribbon  attachment,  no 
bits  of  silver  and  egg-shell  china. 

Oh!  But  the  room  was  typical  of  the  Honourable 
Mary  Bingham,  into  whose  capable  hands  had  slipped 
the  reins  controlling  the  big  estate  bounded  on  one 
side  by  that  of  the  man  opposite  her. 


DESERT  LOVE  169 

"  There  is  only  one  more  thing  I  can  suggest,"  said 
the  deep,  clear  voice,  "  and  that  is  that  you  go  over  to 
Egypt  yourself.  Who  knows  if  you  might  not  pick 
up  a  clue.  Detectives  have  failed,  though  I  think  we 
made  a  mistake  in  employing  English  ones,  they  hardly 
seem  tactful  or  subtle  enough  for  the  East." 

Certainly  one  would  have  hardly  applied  either  ad- 
jective to  Detective  John  Gibbs,  who.  bull-necked  and 
blustering,  had  pushed  and  bullied  his  way  through 
Egypt's  principal  cities  in  search  of  Jill. 

"  How  like  Jill  not  to  have  sent  us  a  line,"  remarked 
Jack  Wetherbourne  for  the  hundredth  time  as  he  lit  a 
cigarette. 

"  Oh,  but  as  I  have  said  before,  she  may  have  had 
sunstroke,  and  lost  her  memory,  or  have  been  stolen 
and  put  away  in  a  harem.  She's  not  dead,  that's  cer- 
tain, because  she  had  her  hand  told  before  she  left  on 
her  last  trip,  and  she's  to  live  to  over  eighty." 

"  That's  splendid,"  was  Wetherbourne's  serious  an- 
swer to  a  serious  statement,  as  he  rose  on  the  entry  of 
Lady  Bingham,  who,  having  at  the  same  moment  fin- 
ished her  knitting  wool  and  the  short  commons  of  con- 
secutive thought  of  which  she  was  capable,  had  mean- 
dered in  on  gossip  bent,  looking  quickly  and  furtively 
from  one  to  the  other  for  signs  of  an  understanding 
which  would  join  the  estates  in  matrimony,  a  pact 
upon  which  her  heart  was  set.  And  seeing  none,  she 
sat  down  with  an  irritated  rustle,  which  gathered  in 
intensity  until  it  developed  into  a  storm  of  expostu- 
lating petulance  when  she  heard  of  the  proposed  pro- 
gramme. 

On  the  stroke  of  eleven  Mary  got  up  and  walked 


170  DESERT  LOVE 

down  the  broad  staircase,  and  through  the  great  hall, 
and  out  on  to  the  steps  beside  the  very  splendid  man 
beside  her,  and  they  stood  under  the  moon,  whilst  a 
nightingale  bubbled  for  a  moment,  and  yet  they  were 
silent. 

"  Dear  old  girl,"  said  Jack  Wetherbourne,  as  he 
pushed  open  the  little  gate  in  the  wall  which  divided 
their  lands,  and  waved  his  hand  in  the  direction  of  the 
old  Tudor  house. 

"  Dear  old  Jack,"  murmured  Mary  as  her  capable 
hand  reached  for  a  chocolate  as  she  sat  on  the  window- 
seat  and  waited  until  she  heard  the  faint  click  of  the 
gate,  upon  which  she  waved  her  handkerchief. 

Prosaic  sayings,  prosaic  doings,  but  those  three  pro- 
saic words  meant  as  much,  and  a  good  deal  more  to 
ihem,  than  the  most  exquisite  poetical  outburst,  written 
or  uttered,  since  the  world  began,  might  mean  to  us. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

BY  degrees  Jill  had  become  accustomed  to  the  habits 
of  the  East,  sleeping  peacefully  upon  the  cushion- 
laden  perfumed  divan,  sitting  upon  cushions  beside 
the  snow-white  napery  spread  upon  the  floor  for  meals, 
eating  the  curiously  attractive  Eastern  dishes  without 
a  single  pang  for  eggs  and  bacon  and  golden  mar- 
malade, revelling  in  her  Eastern  garments,  from  the 
ethereal  under  raiment  to  the  soft  loose  trousers  clasped 
above  her  slender  ankles  by  jewel-studded  anklets,  de- 
lighting in  the  flowing  cloaks  and  veils  and  over-robes 
and  short  jackets  of  every  conceivable  texture,  shape, 
and  colour,  passing  hours  in  designing  wondrous  gar- 
ments, which  in  an  incredibly  short  time  she  would  find 
in  the  scented  cupboards  of  her  dressing-rooms. 

Then  would  she  attire  herself  therein,  and  stand 
before  her  mirror  laughing  in  genuine  amusement  at 
the  perfect  Eastern  picture  reflected,  and  drawing  the 
veil  over  her  sunny  head,  and  the  yashmak  to  beneath 
her  eyes,  and  a  cloak  about  her  body,  would  summon 
the  Arab  to  her  presence. 

Which  shows  that  knowing  nothing  whatever  about 
the  Eastern  character,  she  merely  added  a  hundredfold 
to  her  attractions,  for  if  there  is  one  thing  a  man  of 
the  East  has  brought  to  perfection,  it  is  his  enjoyment 
of  procrastinating  in  his  love-making,  passing  hours 
and  days  and  weeks,  even  months  in  touching  the  edge 

171 


172  DESERT  LOVE 

of  the  cup,  until  the  moment  comes  when  raising  it 
to  his  lips,  he  drains  it  to  the  last  drop. 

To  keep  herself  physically  fit  she  had  found  stren- 
uous recreation  in  two  ways.  Firstly,  she  had  made 
known  that  her  wish  was  to  learn  something  of  the 
dancing  of  the  East,  whereupon  for  a  sum  which  would 
have  made  Pavlova's  slender  feet  tingle  in  astonish- 
ment, the  finest  dancer  in  all  Egypt  and  Asia  had,  for 
many  months,  taken  up  her  abode  in  the  beautiful  house 
especially  built  for  honoured  guests  just  without  the 
wall. 

The  supple,  passionate  Eastern  woman  found  it  in 
her  soul  to  love  the  slender  white  girl  who  laughed 
aloud  in  glee,  and  showed  such  amazing  aptitude  in 
learning  the  A.B.C.  of  this  language,  especially  re- 
served in  the  East  for  the  portrayal  of  the  history  of 
love  and  all  its  kin.  Presents  were  showered  upon 
the  teacher  who,  with  the  craft  of  the  Oriental  mind, 
in  some  cases  forbore  to  fully  explain  the  meaning 
of  certain  gestures,  so  that  unintentionally  a  veritable 
lightning  flash  of  passion  blazed  about  Jill's  head  one 
night,  when  with  the  innocent  desire  of  showing  the 
Arab  how  well  she  was  progressing  in  the  art,  she 
suddenly  stood  up  before  him  and  made  a  slight  move- 
ment of  her  body,  holding  the  slender  white  arms 
rigidly  to  her  side,  whilst  her  small,  rose-tinted  right 
foot  tapped  the  ground  impatiently. 

"  Allah !  "  had  suddenly  exclaimed  the  Arab,  as  he 
had  seized  her  arms  and  pulled  her  towards  him.  "  You 
would  mock  me,  make  fun  of  me,  you  woman  of 
ice! 

"  How  dare  you  make  me  see  a  picture  of  you  in  — 


DESERT  LOVE  173 

ah !  but  I  cannot  speak  of  it  in  words,  suffice  that  one 
dav  I  will  —  Allah  !  you  —  you  dare  to  mock  me  with 
a  picture  of  that  which  you  refuse  me }  " 

"  I  haven't  the  faintest  idea  of  what  you  are  talking 
about,"  had  replied  a  very  ruffled  Jill,  as  with  golden 
anklets  softly  clinking  she  withdrew  to  a  distance. 
"  If  that  is  the  effect  of  my  dancing  I  will  never  dance 
for  you,  never!  " 

"  But,  woman,  do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  you 
have  no  idea  of  the  translation  put  upon  your  move- 
ments %  " 

"  Evidently  not,"  haughtily  replied  the  inwardly 
laughing  gii-L 

"  That  you  do  not  know  the  movement  you  made 
just  now  meant  that  in  the  dimness  of  the  night  I  — 
oh!  I  cannot  tell  you,  but  I  swear  before  Allah  that 
I  —  I,  Hahmed,  who  have  known  no  woman,  will  teach 
you  the  translation  of  every  movement  of  all  that  you 
liave  learned." 

Whereupon  Jill,  having  seated  herself  upon  the 
stuffed  head  of  an  enormous  lion  skin,  murmured 
"  soil"  and  proceeded  to  light  a  cigarette. 

Her  second  and  favourite  pastime  was  riding,  and 
in  as  few  words  as  possible,  so  that  my  book  shall  not 
ramble  to  unseemly  length,  I  will  tell  you  how  the 
fame  of  her  horsemanship  had  come  to  be  spoken  of, 
even  in  the  almost  untrodden  corners  of  Asia  and 
Egypt. 

The  whim  seizing  her,  she  would  bid  the  Arab  to 
her  presence,  sometimes  to  her  evening  repast,  some- 
times to  sweet  coffee  and  still  sweeter  music,  some- 
times to  wander  on  foot  or  on  camel-back  through  the 


174  DESERT  LOVE 

oasis,  to  the  desert  stretching  like  a  great  sea  beyond, 
and  still  beyond. 

Everything,  as  you  will  note  if  you  have  the  patience 
to  get  through  to  the  end  of  this  book,  happened  to 
Jill  in  the  light  of  the  full  moon.  On  this  night  in 
question,  clad  all  in  black,  with  the  moonbeams  strik- 
ing rays  from  the  silver  embroidered  on  her  veil,  and 
the  anklets  above  her  little  feet,  she  seemed  small  and 
fragile,  altogether  desirable,  and  infinitely  to  be  pro- 
tected to  the  man  beside  her  on  the  edge  of  the  sand. 
Still  more  so  when  she  waxed  ecstatic  with  delight  on 
the  approach  of  two  horses,  one  bay  ridden  by  a  man 
clothed  from  head  to  foot  in  white  burnous,  and  a  led 
mare  as  white  as  the  man's  raiment. 

"Hahmed!  O!  Hahmed!  Stop  them!"  had  she 
cried,  forgetting  the  ice  out  of  which  she  had  elected 
to  hack  herself  a  pedestal.  "  Oh,  you  beauty,  you 
priceless  thing!  "  she  continued,  when  the  mare,  whin- 
nying gently,  rubbed  its  muzzle  on  her  shoulder ;  where- 
upon she  took  the  rein  from  the  servant  who  had  dis- 
mounted, and  led  the  beast  up  and  down. 

Perfect  she  stood,  the  Breeze  of  the  Desert,  with 
her  flowing  tail  high  set,  her  streaming  mane,  the  little 
ears  so  close  together  as  to  almost  touch,  her  great 
chest,  and  dainty  hoofs  which  scarcely  deigned  to  touch 
the  sand. 

Bit  and  bridle  she  had  none,  her  sole  harness  con- 
sisting of  a  halter  with  a  leather  rein  on  the  right 
side,  and  a  rug  upon  her  back  hardly  kept  in  place  by 
a  loose  girth.  It  seemed  that  she  was  of  the  Al 
Hamsa,  which,  being  translated,  means  being  a  direct 
descendant  of  one  of  the  five  great  mares  of  the  time 


DESERT  LOVE  175 

of  Mohammed ;  also  she  was  a  two-year-old  and  playful 
but  not  over  friendly,  therefore  was  it  astounding  to 
see  her  as  she  listened  to  the  girl's  musical  voice,  and 
showed  no  fretfulness  at  the  touch  of  a  strange  hand. 

And  then  there  was  a  quick  run,  a  cry,  and  a  rush 
of  tearing  hoofs!  For  Jill,  in  the  twinkling  of  a  star, 
had  let  fall  the  enveloping  cloak,  standing  for  one  sec- 
ond like  some  exotic  bit  of  statuary  in  her  black  billow- 
ing satin  trousers  and  infinitesimal  coatee  over  a  silver- 
spangled  frothy  vest,  her  great  eyes  dancing  with  glee 
over  the  face  veil.  She  had  swiftly  backed  a  few  yards, 
and  before  either  man  or  horse  had  guessed  her  inten- 
tion, with  a  quick  run  and  a  full  grasp  of  the  great 
mane  had  swung  herself  into  the  native  saddle,  and  was 
away  over  the  desert  to  wherever  the  horse  listed. 
Neither  was  there  a  second  lost  before  the  bay  was 
racing  after  the  mare;  and  Jill,  riding  with  the  loose 
seat  of  the  native,  turned  and  waved  hilariously  to 
Hahmed  as  he  tore  like  the  wind  beside  her,  shouting 
something  she  could  not  distinguish  in  the  rush  of  the 
air  past  her  face. 

Half-frightened,  half -maddened  by  her  own  tremen- 
dous pace,  the  Breeze  of  the  Desert  laid  herself  out  to 
beat  all  speed  records. 

Mile  after  mile  flew  under  her  dainty  feet,  whilst 
Jill  by  little  cries  urged  her  still  faster  yet,  the  all- 
enduring  bay  keeping  alongside  without  any  apparent 
effort,  until  at  last  the  Arab,  leaning  forward,  struck 
the  mare  lightly  upon  the  left  side  of  the  neck,  where- 
upon without  slackening  speed  she  turned  instinctively 
in  that  direction,  turning  a  little  each  time  she  felt 
the  light  touch,  until  Jill  at  last  perceived  the  outline 


176  DESERT  LOVE 

of  the  oasis  and  the  figure  of  the  Arab  servant  standing 
with  folded  arms  awaiting  the  return  of  his  beloved 
horses  or  not,  as  should  be  the  will  of  Allah;  being, 
however,  shaken  from  his  native  calm  when  this  woman 
when  some  hundreds  of  yards  from  him  in  a  straight 
line,  without  stopping  the  speed  of  the  racing  horse, 
suddenly  slipped  from  the  saddle,  remaining  upon  her 
feet  without  a  tremor,  whilst  the  "  Breeze  "  stopped 
of  her  own  free-will  within  a  few  feet  of  her  attendant. 

"  And  our  master  whom  Allah  protect,"  as  recounted 
the  native  afterwards  to  an  astonished,  almost  unbe- 
lieving bevy  of  listeners,  "  bringing  his  horse  in  a 
circle,  suddenly  picked  up  that  woman  ri'der.  Yea  ! 
I  tell  thee,  thou  disbelieving  son  of  a  different  coloured 
horse,  a  woman-rider,  even  she  for  whom  the  palace 
has  been  built;  and  swinging  her  across  the  saddle  so 
that  her  feet,  as  small  as  thine  are  big,  thou  grandchild 
of  a  reptile  with  poisonous  tongue,  as  I  say  her  little 
feet  hung  down  on  one  side,  and  her  head,  and  may 
Allah  protect  me  from  the  wrath  of  my  master  if  I 
say  that  it  was  as  the  sun  in  all  its  glory,  hanging  down 
on  the  other,  dashed  into  the  night  with  her,  but 
where  it  is  not  meet  for  me  to  know." 

The  "  where,"  as  it  happened,  being  Jill's  palace,  in 
which,  lying  full  length  upon  a  white  divan,  with  a  small 
brazier  of  sweet  smelling  incense  sending  up  spirals  of 
blue  haze  around  her  dishevelled  head,  and  an  ivory 
tray  laden  with  coffee  and  sweetmeats  at  her  side,  she 
promised  never  to  run  the  risk  of  getting  lost  in  the 
desert  again,  on  condition  that  the  Breeze  of  the  Desert 
became  her  own  property,  and  that  she  could  ride  un- 
troubled whenever  and  wherever  she  liked;  cheerfully 


DESERT  LOVE  177 

promising  also  to  have  made  a  habit,  or  rather  riding- 
dress,  which  would  combine  the  utility  of  the  West  with 
the  protective  covering  properties  of  the  East.  After 
which  she  got  to  her  feet,  standing  the  very  essence 
of  youth  and  strength  in  the  soft  glow  of  the  lamps, 
smiled  into  the  Arab's  stern  face  with  a  look  in  the 
great  eyes  which  caused  his  mouth  to  tighten  like  a 
steel  trap,  clapped  her  hands  and  disappeared  through 
a  curtain-shrouded  door  without  even  looking  back. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

THE  recounting  of  which  true  episode  has  taken  me 
from  the  evening  when  the  sun  had  just  slipped  behind 
the  edge  of  sand. 

Jill  sat  motionless  in  a  corner  of  her  beautiful  room, 
with  a  pucker  of  dissatisfaction  on  her  forehead. 

Jill,  the  girl  who  only  a  few  moons  back  had  taken 
the  reins  of  her  life  into  her  own  hands,  and  had 
tangled  them  into  a  knot  which  her  henna-tipped  fingers 
seemed  unable  to  unravel.  English  books,  magazines, 
papers  lay  on  tables,  the  latest  music  was  stacked  on 
a  grand  piano,  great  flowering  plants  filling  the  air 
with  heavy  scent  stood  in  every  corner,  the  pearls  around 
her  neck  were  worth  a  king's  ransom,  the  sweetmeats 
on  a  filigree  stand  looked  like  uncut  jewels ;  in  fact 
everything  a  woman  could  want  was  there,  and  yet  not 
enough  to  erase  the  tiny  pucker. 

Months  ago  she  had  played  for  her  freedom  and 
lost. 

This  exquisite  building  had  been  built  for  her,  horses 
were  hers,  and  camels;  jewels  were  literally  flung  at 
her  feet. 

She  clapped  her  hands  and  soft-footed  natives  ran 
to  do  her  bidding.  Flowers  and  fruit  came  daily  from 
the  oasis,  sweetmeats  and  books  each  day  from  the 
nearest  city.  Her  smallest  whim,  even  to  the  mere 
passing  of  a  shadow  of  a  wish,  was  fulfilled,  and 

yet 

178 


DESERT  LOVE  179 

A  few  months  ago  her  mocking  words  had  swung  to 
the  silken  curtains  of  her  chamber,  and  since  then  she 
had  been  alone. 

Verily,  there  were  no  restrictions  and  no  barriers, 
but  the  yellow  sand  stretched  away  to  the  East  and 
away  to  the  West,  and  obedience  in  the  oasis  was  bred 
from  love  and  her  twin  sister  fear. 

True,  the  girl  had  but  to  bid  the  Arab  to  her  presence 
and  the  curtain  would  swing  back. 

But  upon  the  threshold  he  would  stand,  or  upon  the 
floor  he  would  seat  himself,  motionless,  with  a  face  as 
expressionless  as  stone. 

By  no  movement,  word  or  sign,  could  she  find  out 
if  she  was  any  more  to  him  than  the  wooden  beads 
which  ceaselessly  passed  between  his  fingers. 

Nothing  showed  her  if  he  remembered  the  first  night, 
when  for  a  moment  the  man  had  broken  through  the 
inherited  reserve  of  centuries.  Had  it  been  merely  the 
East  clamouring  for  the  out-of-reach,  longed-for  West  ? 
Perhaps !  Just  a  passing  moment,  as  quickly  forgot- 
ten, and  against  which  forgetfulness  the  woman  in  her 
rebelled. 

It  had  even  come  to  her  to  lie  awake  during  the 
night  following  the  days  in  which  the  man  had  been 
away  from  his  beloved  oasis.  The  swift  rush  of  naked 
feet,  taking  her  as  swiftly  to  the  roof,  where  peeping 
between  the  carved  marble  she  would  look  upon  a 
distant  scene,  which  could  well  have  illustrated  some 
Eastern  fable. 

Either  the  great  camel  would  stalk  slowly,  solemnly 
out  of  the  night,  kneeling  at  a  word;  or  a  pure  bred 
Arabian  horse  would  rush  swiftly  through  the  palm 


180  DESERT  LOVE 

belt,  its  speed  unchecked  as  its  master  threw  himself 
from  the  saddle. 

She  could  even  distinguish  a  murmured  conversation 
between  the  eunuch  and  his  master,  guessing  that  he 
was  inquiring  as  to  her  welfare,  and  issuing  orders  for 
her  comfort,  before  passing  out  of  sight  to  his  own 
dwelling,  she  in.  /ined,  though  she  would  rather  have 
died  than  have  asked  one  question  of  those  around  her. 

She  craved  for  the  nights  when  he  would  send  to  in- 
quire if  she  would  ride,  often  from  sheer  contrariness 
denying  herself  the  exercise  she  longed  for. 

In  fact,  feeling  the  mystery  of  love  germinating 
within  her,  she  showed  herself  rebellious  and  contrary, 
and  infinitely  sweet,  surpassing  in  all  things  the  ways 
of  women,  who,  since  the  beginning  of  all  time,  have 
plagued  the  man  into  whose  keeping  their  heart  is 
slowly  but  surely  slipping. 

And  as  the  shadows  fell,  so  did  the  pucker  of  dis- 
content deepen,  and  a  tiny  blue-grey  marmoset  sprang 
to  the  top  of  the  piano,  chattering  shrilly,  when  a  book 
swished  viciously  across  the  floor,  and  a  diminutive 
gazelle,  standing  on  reed-pipe  legs,  blinked  its  soft  eyes, 
and  whisked  its  apology  of  a  tail  when  a  henna-tipped 
finger  tapped  its  soft  nose  over  sharply,  before  the  girl 
clapped  her  hands  to  summon  her  bodywoman,  who, 
as  silently  as  a  wraith,  slipped  into  the  room. 

"  Light  all  the  lamps  and  come  and  tell  me  the 
news." 

The  little  woman  obeyed,  and  came  to  kneel  beside 
the  girl,  gazing  up  at  the  fair  white  face  with  positive 
worship  in  her  eyes. 


DESERT  LOVE  181 

"  Great  is  the  news,  O !  mistress." 

"  Tell  it." 

The  words  were  sharp,  and  the  faintest  shadow  of  a 
smile  glinted  for  a  moment  in  the  native's  eyes. 

"  Behold,  O  !  beautiful  flower !  Unto  us,  the  slaves 
of  our  great  master,  under  whose  feet  we  are  but  as 
dust,  it  has  been  told  that  he  upon  whom  may  Allah's 
greatest  blessings  fall,  is  about  to  take  unto  himself 
a  wife." 

Silence !  Save  for  a  little  breath  indrawn  too 
quickly. 

"  Well,  proceed  with  the  wonderful  news !  "  The 
words  were  icy,  but  a  smile  flickered  for  a  moment 
across  the  native's  face,  and  was  gone. 

"  Behold  has  he,  the  greatest  man  in  Egypt  and 
Arabia,  before  whom  all  are  but  shadows,  and  unto 
whom  is  offered  the  love  and  respect  of  all  those  who 
live  within  the  bounty  of  his  great  heart,  yea!  behold 
has  he  deigned  to  look  upon  Amanreh,  the  thirteen  year 
old  daughter  of  Sheikh  el  Hoatassin,  second  only  in 
wealth  and  prowess  to  our  own  master.  Fair  is  she 
and  young,  in  very  truth  meet  to  wed  with  him  who 
rules  us  with  a  hand  of  iron,  bound  in  thongs  of  softest 
velvet. 

"  Beautiful,  yes !  beautiful  as  the  day  at  dawn,  and 
straight  as  yon  marble  pillar,  and  as  delicately  tinted, 
rounded  as  the  bursting  lotus  bud,  and  fit  to  carry  the 
honour  of  bearing  her  master's  children !  In  a  few 
moons  it !  " 

"Begone!" 

The  word  cracked  like  a  whip  through  the  scented 


182  DESERT  LOVE 

room,  but  as  the  little  hunchback  crept  swiftly  through 
the  curtains,   the  smile  passed  from  the  eyes  to  the 
mouth,  as  softly  she  whispered  to  herself: 
"It  is  well  done!" 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

OUT  on  to  the  balcony  and  back,  this  way,  that  way, 
to  and  fro,  paced  Jill  in  her  black  room.  Black  skins 
lay  upon  the  black  marble  floor,  black  satin  cushions 
upon  the  skins.  Curtains  of  scented  leather,  as  soft 
and  supple  as  satin,  hung  before  the  doors  let  into  the 
walls  of  black  carved  wood. 

A  long  couch  of  ebony,  untouched  by  silver  or  by 
gold,  stood  under  one  of  the  gigantic  black  marble 
statues,  which  represented  an  Ethiopian  slave  or  some 
wild  beast,  holding  in  hand  or  mouth  a  lamp  with  shade 
of  flaming  orange,  the  one  touch  of  colour  in  the  whole 
room. 

There  was  no  sound  save  for  the  occasional  crackle 
of  resinous  log  burning  in  a  brazier  placed  in  a  far 
corner,  before  which  Jill  suddenly  crouched,  shivering, 
though  the  night  was  warm.  Weary  was  she  from  want 
of  sleep,  weary  was  her  heart  from  loneliness,  weary 
hor  mouth,  laden  with  unuttered  words  of  the  great 
love,  which,  day  by  day,  hour  by  hour,  yea !  even  from 
the  moment  she  had  turned  to  find  her  fate  behind  her, 
had  been  growing  and  expanding  until  naught  was  left 
of  her  but  love  and  fear.  For  fear  had  been  her  com- 
panion in  the  hours  of  the  night,  which  she  had  passed 
in  restless  pacing  upon  the  balcony. 

For  two  of  these  restless  hours  she  had  put  on  and 
discarded  the  garments  within  her  cupboards,  until  she 
had  found  that  which  she  desired.  And  an  hour  ^he 
had  spent  likewise  in  the  adorning  of  her  beauty,  beiore 

183 


184  DESERT  LOVE 

she  stood  satisfied  in  front  of  her  mirror.  The  volumi- 
nous trousers  of  softest  black  fabric,  hardly  revealing 
the  exquisite  whiteness  of  her  perfect  limbs,  were 
caught  by  heavy  golden  anklets  above  the  little  feet, 
with  henna-tipped  toes  and  reddened  heel. 

Her  bare  waist  shone  like  a  strip  of  creamy  satin 
above  the  belt  and  stomacher  of  black  leather  encrusted 
in  black  pearls,  her  arms  were  bare,  also  the  supple 
back  and  glistening  shoulders,  but  the  rounded  glory  of 
her  breasts  was  hidden  by  a  covering  of  soft  inter- 
laced ribbon,  sewn  with  pearls.  Her  hair  wound  round 
and  round  her  head,  and,  fastened  by  great  combs, 
shone  like  a  golden  globe,  and  over  it  she  had  thrown 
a  flimsy  veil,  and  around  her  a  swinging  cloak. 

There  was  no  touch  of  paint  upon  her  face,  nor  did 
she,  with  the  exception  of  her  anklets,  wear  loose  jew- 
els, or  the  ornaments  which  cause  that  nerve-break- 
ing clatter  so  beloved  by  the  Eastern  woman,  and  so 
superlatively  irritating  to  the  Western  ear.  In  fact 
she  was  the  most  ravishing  picture  of  delight  imagin- 
able, her  first  shyness  and  awkwardness  of  her  unac- 
customed attire  having  long  since  vanished,  though,  be 
it  confessed,  that  until  this  night  she  had  never  intended 
that  human  eye  should  rest  upon  her  loveliness. 

But  the  earth  of  discontent  and  the  waters  of  lone- 
liness make  fertile  soil  for  the  seeds  of  fear,  even  if 
those  seeds  be  planted  by  the  hand  of  a  misshapen 
slave;  but  a  little  smile  and  a  sigh  of  satisfaction  had 
been  the  outcome  of  a  prolonged  scrutiny  in  a  mirror, 
before  which  she  had  stood  whilst  quoting  certain  words 
which  ran  thusly: 

"Beautiful  as  the  dawn,  rounded  as  the  bursting 


DESERT  LOVE  185 

lotus  bud."  And  then  she  had  shrugged  her  glistening 
shoulders  and  frowned,  and  smiled  again,  before  stretch- 
ing her  long  arms  towards  the  silken  curtains  which, 
though  she  knew  it  not,  gently  blew  against  the  figure 
of  a  man,  who,  prone  upon  his  face,  clenched  his 
fingers  in  the  soft  stuff,  striving  to  quieten  the  mad 
beating  of  his  heart  at  the  sound  of  the  footsteps  or 
the  rustle  of  the  raiment  of  the  woman  he  loved,  yea, 
and  desired. 

"Hahmed!     Oh,  Hahmed!" 

As  faint  as  the  rose  of  the  breaking  dawn,  as  tender 
as  the  notes  of  a  cooing  dove  calling  gently  to  its  mate, 
as  soft  as  the  touch  of  a  flower-petal  the  words  drifted 
through  the  curtain.  With  a  whispered  cry  to  Allah, 
his  God,  the  man  was  upon  his  feet.  With  the  strength 
of  the  oriental,  which  has  its  root  in  patience  and  its 
flower  in  achievement  in  all  that  appertains  to  love,  he 
had  uncomplainingly  waited  through  month  succeeding 
month,  making  no  effort  to  further  his  cause  by  either 
word  or  movement,  content  to  leave  the  outcome  to 
the  Fate  which  had  inscribed  upon  the  unending,  non- 
beginning  rolls  of  eternity  the  moment  when  that  voice 
should  break  across  the  desert  place  in  which  lay  his 
seed  of  love. 

A  rustle  of  the  curtain,  and  he  stood  before  the 
woman  who  loved  and  desired  him,  until  her  soul 
waxed  faint  within  her. 

For  a  space  they  stood,  the  light  from  one  great 
lamp  striking  down  upon  the  little  veil-wrapped  figure 
and  the  man  in  flaming  orange  cloak  over  soft  satin 
trousers  and  vest  of  black,  one  huge  diamond  blazing 
in  the  turban  upon  his  dark  head. 


186  DESEET  LOVE 

Silently  Jill  pointed  to  a  chair  carved  out  of  ebony, 
the  ends  of  the  arms  representing  the  snarling  face  of 
some  wild  beast,  with  great  fangs  of  ivory,  and  staring 
ruby  eyes  flashing  in  the  lamplight. 

As  silently  Hahmed  sat  down,  never  once  removing 
his  eyes  from  the  girl  who  stood  motionless  upon  a 
black  panther  skin,  looking  back  over  her  half-turned 
shoulder  at  him  for  whom  she  was  bidding  against  the 
unknown.  Have  you  ever  watched  a  rosebud  unfold 
in  the  warmth  of  the  sun,  each  petal  quivering,  widen- 
ing, until  the  intoxicating  scent  of  the  flower  goes  to 
your  head  like  wine  as  you  faintly  perceive  the  rose 
heart  within  ? 

In  just  such  a  way  did  Jill  unfold  her  treasures  to  the 
Arab,  sitting  as  some  carven  image  in  the  shadow.  The 
veil  from  her  head  slipped  to  the  ground,  leaving  ex- 
posed her  white  face  with  its  crimson  mouth  and 
shadow-laden  eyes;  slowly  the  cloak  dropped  from  her 
shoulders,  so  that  the  whiteness  of  her  skin  blazed  sud- 
denly in  the  black  marble  room.  For  one  long  mo- 
ment she  stood  before  her  master  in  the  strength  of 
her  virginal  beauty,  and  even  as  a  faint  sigh  broke 
the  stillness,  she  moved. 

Do  not  imagine  for  one  moment  that  she  copied  the 
strenuous  movements  of  Salome  as  understood  at  the 
Palace  Theatre,  London,  or  the  disgusting  contortions 
of  certain  orientals  born  in  Montmartre,  and  favoured 
by  the  denizens  of  Paris. 

Of  very  truth  she  moved  not  her  lower  limbs  at  all, 
though  her  exquisite  body  swayed  as  if  by  a  passing 
breeze,  her  little  hands  elaborating  that  which  the  body 


DESERT  LOVE  187 

originated,  the  tiny  feet  punctuating  the  love  story  of 
both. 

By  one  slight  movement  of  her  right  arm  she  had 
told  the  man  she  loved  him,  by  half-arrested  gestures, 
a  little  shrug,  an  infinitesimal  undulation  of  her  body, 
a  faint  tapping  of  the  left  foot  or  the  right,  she  de- 
scribed the  delights  of  love,  she  who  knew  nothing,  to 
him  who  knowing  all,  had  denied  himself  all. 

Heaven  alone  knows  if  she  really  understood  that 
which  she  described;  be  that  as  it  may,  the  man  rose 
to  his  feet  as  she  turned  with  outstretched  arms  towards 
him,  moving  almost  imperceptibly  from  the  waist,  tell- 
ing him  that  which  her  lips  would  not  utter,  until  sud- 
denly with  a  great  cry  he  sprang  towards  her,  and 
sweeping  her  into  his  arms,  tore  the  coverings  from  her 
breasts,  until  indeed  like  a  lotus-bud  she  lay  silent  upon 
his  heart.  For  one  second  he  stood,  and  then  he  raised 
her  above  his  head  upon  his  outstretched  hands,  so  that 
the  great  pins  fell  from  her  head  and  the  perfumed 
hair  like  golden  rain  about  his  shoulders,  then  he  flung 
her  upon  the  bed  of  cushions  and  stood  above  her  with 
blazing  eyes  and  dilated,  quivering  nostrils. 

And  then  he  knelt  beside  her,  covering  her  gleaming 
nakedness  with  the  cloak,  and  spoke  softly  in  the  East- 
ern tongue. 

"  I  leave  you,  woman,  to  go  and  give  orders  for  your 
journey  to  Cairo.  There  shall  you  become  my  wife, 
my  woman,  for  behold,  I  will  no  longer  wait. 

"  Let  not  your  thoughts  dwell  upon  caprice  or  tricks 
of  woman,  for  if  you  say  me  nay,  yet  will  I  make  you 
my  wife,  and  force  you  unto  me.  But  you  will  not 


188  DESERT  LOVE 

gainsay  me,  for  behold  you  love  me,  so  rest  upon  your 
bed  for  the  three  weeks  which  must  pass  before  the 
caravan  is  ready  for  the  journey,  so  that  in  health  and 
strength  and  surpassing  loveliness  you  will  come  to 
me." 

And  having  knelt  to  kiss  the  rosy  feet,  he  withdrew 
from  the  presence  of  his  beloved,  and  the  English  girl 
turned  on  her  face  and  sobbed,  and  then,  gathering  her 
cloak  around  her  so  as  to  hide  the  dishevelment  of  her 
raiment,  passed  to  the  roof  above  to  hold  conclave 
with  the  stars. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

IT  seems  wellnigh  impossible  that  an  English  maid 
could  look  with  such  equanimity  upon  the  prospect 
of  marriage  with  a  man,  an  Eastern,  of  whom  she 
knew  nothing  outside  the  tales  and  anecdotes  recounted 
to  her  of  his  exploits  and  prowess,  the  which  stood 
good  to  rival  even  the  adventures  of  Haroun  al  Raschid, 

As  if  an  English  girl,  you  will  say,  could  ever  dream 
of  such  a  thing  —  a  girl  brought  up  in  England's  best 
society ! 

True!  brought  up  within  a  wall  of  convention,  with 
her  ears  for  ever  filled  with  the  everlasting  tag,  "  It'a 
not  done,  you  know,"  that  shibboleth  which  for  stulti- 
fying all  original  effort  surpasses  even  the  mythical  but 
revered  sway  of  Mrs.  Grundy.  A  girl  whose  brain,  and 
originality,  and  deep  passions,  must  under  the  said 
circumstances  and  environment  inevitably  culminate  in 
the  same  silver-haired,  pink-cheeked,  grandchildren- 
adoring  old  lady,  who  sees  the  regulation  ending  in 
England  of  the  brilliant  girl,  just  as  she  sees  the  end 
of  the  girl  whose  brain  registers  the  fact  that  the  sea 
side  is  a  place  to  be  visited  only  in  August;  whose 
originality  finds  vent  in  the  different  coloured  ribbons 
with  which  she  adorns  her  dogs  and  her  lingerie ;  whose 
passions  —  oh  well !  who  bothers  about  the  little  placid 
stream  flowing  without  a  ripple  between  the  mud  flate 
of  that  drear  country  habit  ? 

199 


190  DESERT  LOVE 

No  doubt  about  it,  if  money  troubles  had  not  given 
her  the  opportunity  for  which  she  had  always  craved, 
Jill  would  have  finally  metamorphosed  her  brilliant 
self  into  that  dear  old  dame  who  is  as  beloved  and 
ubiquitous  and  uniform  as  the  penny  bun.  But  seeing 
her  chance  she  had  clutched  at  it  with  eager  out- 
stretched hands,  and  in  all  these  months  she  had  not 
had  one  single  regret,  or  one  moment  of  longing  for 
peaceful,  grey-tinted  England,  or  the  friends  with  whom 
she  had  visited  and  hunted  and  done  the  hundred  and 
one  trivial  things  wealthy  beautiful  girls  are  accus- 
tomed to  do  in  England,  and  who  in  her  case  had  con- 
tinued their  social  career  without  breaking  their  hearts 
or  engagements  on  account  of  the  monetary  debacle  of 
their  one  time  companion.  Her  instinct  had  not  failed 
her  in  regard  to  the  man  who,  without  consulting  her 
in  any  way,  was  even  at  that  hour  starting  forth  to 
arrange  their  marriage,  and  she  troubled  not  her  head 
with  the  thought  of  what  might  have  happened  to  her  if 
her  instinct  had  failed  her,  though  the  chances  are  that 
rather  than  have  even  the  outer  petals  of  her  womanhood 
bruised  by  the  closing  of  a  trap  into  which  she  might 
have  placed  her  feet,  she  would  have  sent  the  vessel  of 
her  soul  afloat  down  the  great  wide  river  ending  in  the 
ocean  of  eternity. 

She  was  that  most  interesting  and  most  rare  cross- 
bred result  of  the  elusive  something,  be  it  soul,  imagi- 
nation, or  ecstasy  which  had  turned  a  woman  ancestress, 
created  for  the  great  honour  of  bearing  children,  into 
the  nun,  whose  maternal  instincts  had  feigned  find 
solace  in  the  marble  or  plaster  child-image,  and  even 
that  out  of  reach  of  those  hands  which  should  have 


DESERT  LOVE  191 

trembled  over  swaddling  clothes;  and  that  passion  for 
love  and  light  which  had  driven  the  dancing  wayward 
feet  of  a  Belle  Marquise  ancestress  from  love  to  love, 
until  they  had  come  to  a  standstill  before  Madame  la 
Guillotine,  who  bothered  not  herself  with  those  two 
minute  extremities. 

So  that  on  waking  after  sweet  slumber,  Jill  kissed 
the  misshapen  slave  upon  the  cheek  and  told  her  the 
news,  whereupon  the  dusky  little  woman  raised  her 
eyes  and  hands  heavenwards,  gibbering  like  a  monkey, 
albeit  she  had  just  left  an  excited  coterie  of  serving 
folk  who,  in  the  mysterious  native  way,  had  become 
acquainted  with  the  news  of  the  impending  function 
without  the  uttering  of  one  word  from  those  most  in- 
terested in  an  event  which  would  mean  fulfilment  of 
dreams  to  more  than  one  of  those  who  had,  for  months 
past,  pondered  and  commented  on  the  strangeness  of 
their  master's  love-affair. 

And  Jill  in  the  softest  pink  raiment  sat  like  the 
perfect  heart  of  a  perfect  rose  in  the  scented  coolness 
of  the  pink  chamber,  and  passed  the  days  designing 
garments  of  which  it  is  useless  to  give  a  description, 
seeing  that  the  womenfolk  in  Northern  climes  have 
only  two  notes  on  which  to  ring  the  changes  of  their 
wardrobe;  the  long,  shroud-looking  thing  in  silk  or 
crepe  de  Chine  or  good  honest  nainsook,  picked  out  in 
different  coloured  ribbons,  or  the  romance  killing,  stove- 
pipe giving  effect  of  the  masculine  pyjama. 

From  camel  back  Jill  had  watched  the  departure  of 
the  first  caravan  of  swiftest  camels,  laden  with  gifts 
on  their  way  to  Cairo.  The  jangling  of  bells,  the 
musical  cries  of  the  drivers,  and  the  roaring  and  grum- 


192  DESERT  LOVE 

bling  of  the  beasts,  causing  her  to  laugh  aloud  from 
sheer  happiness ;  whilst  the  natives,  many  of  whom  had 
not  seen  the  mystery  woman  their  master  was  about  to 
take  to  wife,  fumbled  with  the  packs  so  as  to  get  a  good 
look  at  the  little  figure,  who,  Allah!  had  intercourse 
with  the  man  before  the  wedding. 

"  And  may  the  blessings  of  Allah  fall  upon  her,  for 
it  is  not  for  us  to  inquire  into  the  strange  ways  of  our 
master  upon  whom  may  the  sun  shine,  and  beside 
whose  path  may  a  stream  of  purest  water  for  ever  run 
For  long  years  has  he  lived  alone,  knowing  no  woman ; 
may  she  whom  he  hath  chosen  be  fruitful,  bearing 
•many  sons,  so  that  our  children  may  live  in  the  blessed 
shadow  of  our  master's  children  for  generation  after 
generation." 

That  was  the  outlook  of  the  happy  oasis  upon  the 
most  untoward  proceedings,  for  in  the  East  the  be- 
trothed child  passes  her  life  in  the  seclusion  of  her 
family  until  the  very  moment  of  the  wedding,  the  man 
depending  absolutely  upon  the  words  of  his  mother  or 
female  relatives  as  to  the  appearance  and  character  of 
his  future  partner. 

On  the  second  day  started  another  caravan  of  cam- 
els, laden  with  the  household  goods  with  which  the 
wealthy  Eastern  always  travels,  yet  more  caravans 
following,  carrying  the  wherewithal  of  the  enormous 
retinue  with  which  Hahmed  the  Arab  saw  fit  to  sur- 
round his  bride ;  the  ensuing  days  passing  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  greatest  caravan  of  all,  that  which  was 
to  take  Jill  to  the  place  where,  steam  up,  the  great  white 
yacht  at  the  water's  edge  was  waiting. 


DESERT  LOVE  193 

Hahmed  and  Jill  were  on  the  broad  balcony  tbe 
night  before  the  start,  the  Arab  lying  at  the  feet  of 
the  woman  sitting  in  an  ebony  chair  covered  with 
cushions  of  every  shade  of  purple,  with  the  faint  haze 
of  incense  about  her  little  head,  and  the  light  of  a 
great  love  in  the  softness  of  her  eyes. 

Holding  the  hem  of  her  cloak  in  his  hands  he  made 
love  to  her  by  words  alone,  for  in  all  the  time  since 
their  first  meeting,  his  hands  had  not  held  hers,  neither 
had  their  lips  met;  but  the  music  of  his  words  served 
to  send  the  blood  surging  to  her  face,  then  to  draw  it 
back  to  her  heart,  leaving  her  as  white  as  the  crescent 
moon  above  her. 

"  Tell  me,  O !  Hahmed,"  she  suddenly  exclaimed 
softly,  after  a  long  silence,  "  will  not  your  people  think 
it  strange  that  I,  a  bride,  should  have  lived  these  many 
months  with  you  ?  Will  they  believe  that  I  am  pure, 
will  they  not  think  harm  of  me,  throwing  your  good 
name  in  shadow '?  " 

The  man  raised  himself  so  that  his  face  was  on  a 
level  with  hers  as  he  laid  one  hand  upon  her  chair. 

"  Woman,  I  speak  not  in  pride  when  I  say  that  I, 
Hahmed  the  Arabian,  have  never  sought  and  never  de- 
sired the  opinion  of  those  about  me.  1  do  as  my  heart 
iuclineth,  let  that  suffice.  Were  I  a  poorer  man  these 
things  could  not  be,  but  with  my  wealth  I  have  bought 
my  freedom,  loosening  the  iron  shackles  of  convention 
from  about  my  feet  with  a  key  of  gold.  Wealth  can 
accomplish  all  things. 

"  This  oasis  is  mine  because  I  was  the  only  bidder 
with  wealth  enough  to  pay  the  exorbitant  prices  de- 


194  DESERT  LOVE 

manded,  other  oases  are  mine,  and  villages  and  tracts 
of  rich  lands.  Also  the  respect  of  my  neighbours,  also 
are  their  tongues  tied  on  account  of  my  riches. 

"  I  live  for  years  without  wife,  or  woman  or  child, 
they  say  no  word. 

"  I  marry  a  Christian  and  a  white  woman,  and  they 
will  say  no  word ;  that  she  is  my  wife  will  suffice  them, 
though  doubtless  whispers  in  the  harems  will  not  be 
all  sweet,  seeing  that  for  years  the  quarry  has  eluded 
the  traps  laid  by  the  henna-tipped  fingers  of  relentless 
hunters  and  huntresses.  Wealth!  It  buys  peace  and 
freedom,  O!  woman,  so  let  not  your  thoughts  disturb 
you.  You  will  be  the  greatest  woman  in  all  Egypt  and 
Arabia  —  but  listen,  some  one  sings  the  bridal  song, 
which  has  come  down  to  us  unchanged  from  the  time 
of  the  great  Sesostris." 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

THE  love-song  broke  the  stillness  of  the  desert  night 
with  the  suddenness  and  sweetness  of  the  nightingale's 
call  in  the  depths  of  an  English  garden,  laden  with  the 
perfume  of  June  roses. 

So  softly  as  to  be  hardly  distinguished  from  a  whis- 
per, the  wonderful  voice  called  —  called  again  and 
stopped,  whilst  the  stars  seemed  to  gather  closer  until 
the  sky  hung  as  a  canopy  of  softest  purple  velvet 
picked  out  in  silver  lightings  over  the  heads  of  those 
who  listened  to  the  call  of  love,  and  from  very  ecstasy 
were  still. 

Again,  and  yet  again,  the  voice  cried  aloud  to  its 
heart's  desire,  rising  like  incense  from  some  hidden 
spot  in  the  village,  twining  among  the  feathery  leaves 
of  the  palms  to  drop  like  golden  rain  upon  the  heart 
of  some  maiden,  who  doubtless  sat  upon  her  roof-top, 
modestly  veiled  if  in  company  of  friends  or  relations, 
but  otherwise,  I  am  positively  certain,  might  be  found 
peeking  over  the  top  of  the  balustrade  as  have  peeked 
the  hearts'  desires  from  the  beginning  of  all  time. 

Jill's  face  was  white  as  death,  as  she  too  sat  motion- 
less, listening  to  the  love-song,  whilst  her  great  eyes 
blazing  like  the  stars  above  watched  the  man  at  her 
feet. 

Closely  veiled  was  she,  for  this  was  the  eve  of  her 
wedding  journey  to  Cairo,  also  had  the  spirit  of  per- 

195 


196  DESERT  LOVE 

versity  prevailed  within  her  for  the  last  month,  caus- 
ing her  to  resemble  the  coldness,  warmth,  eastiness, 
sweetness,  and  general  warpiness  of  the  English  cli- 
mate, sparkling  one  day  with  the  dew-drop-on-the-grass- 
freshness  of  an  early  summer  morning,  to  hang  the  next 
as  passing  heavy  on  the  hand  as  the  November  fog 
upon  the  new  hat  brim;  veering  within  twelve  hours 
to  the  sharpness  of  the  East  wind,  which  braces  skin 
and  temper  to  cracking  point,  and  to  make  up  for  it 
all,  for  one  whole  hour  in  the  twenty-four,  resembling 
the  exquisite  moment  of  the  June  morning,  in  which 
you  find  the  first  half-open  rose  upon  the  bush  just  out- 
side your  breakfast-room. 

She  was  consumed  with  love  of  the  man  who  lay  at 
her  feet,  with  the  hem  of  her  rose-satin  veil  against 
his  lips,  and  her  heart  had  melted  within  her  as  the 
love-song  thrilled,  and  sobbed,  and  cried  its  love  through 
the  night ;  melted  until  she  suddenly  leant  forward  and 
stretching  out  her  hand  laid  it  for  one  moment  on  the 
man's  dark  head,  whereupon  he  rose  to  his  knees  so  that 
the  dark  beauty  of  his  face  was  on  a  level  with  hers, 
the  tale  in  his  eyes  causing  her  heavy  white  lids  to 
close,  whilst  speechless  she  lay  back  among  her  satin 
cushions. 

"  Woman !  O !  woman !  The  touch  of  your  hand  is 
like  the  first  breeze  after  the  scorching  heat  of  the  day, 
and  yet  must  I  await  your  word  before  the  love  that 
consumes  me  may  throw  aside  its  coverings  to  stand 
in  the  perfumed  freshness  of  the  wind  which  maketh 
the  delight  of  the  desert  dawn. 

"  Together  we  have  watched  the  goings  out  of  the 
caravans  on  their  way  to  Cairo,  laden  with  gifts  and 


DESERT  LOVE  197 

all  that  is  necessary  for  the  feasting  of  those  who  are 
invited  to  attend  the  marriage  of  one  who,  by  the  won- 
der of  Allah's  bounty,  has  been  allowed  to  gather  the 
glory  of  his  harvest.  In  your  graciousness  you  have 
troubled  your  heart  with  misgivings  as  to  the  outcome 
of  a  marriage  between  a  Mohammedan  and  a  Christian, 
and  I  have  answered  you  that  there  are  many  such  mar- 
riages in  the  East,  of  which  great  happiness  has  been 
the  outcome,  though  not  such  happiness  as  shall  well 
forth  from  the  union  of  our  love." 

And  the  man  rose  to  his  feet,  standing  straight  as  a 
pine  against  the  fretted  wood-work  of  the  balcony,  and 
the  girl  watching  him  from  under  the  half-closed  lids, 
suddenly  tearing  the  veil  from  before  her  face,  sprang 
also  to  her  feet,  and  stood  against  him  with  her  face 
upraised,  so  that  the  glory  of  her  red  mouth  came  to 
the  level  of  his  shoulder,  and  the  thudding  of  her  heart 
caused  the  diamonds  on  the  embroidery  of  her  vest  to 
flash  in  the  starlight,  and  the  perfume  of  her  skin  to 
scent  the  night  air. 

And  the  man  bent  down  until  it  seemed  that  their 
lips  must  meet  in  this  their  first  kiss,  but  instead  be 
withdrew  one  pace,  though  the  agony  of  love  drew 
all  blood  from  his  face,  until  it  shone  palely  in  the 
gloom. 

"  Yea,  woman,  you  love  me,  else  would  not  your 
eyes  be  suffused  with  the  pain  of  unsatisfied  longing! 
Yet  have  I  not  said  that  until  you  come  to  me,  and 
whisper,  '  Hahmed,  I  love  you ! '  until  that  moment 
I  will  not  in  love  touch  even  the  fairness  of  your  hand, 
though  as  Allah  is  above  us  it  taxes  my  strength  to 
the  uttermost  shred. 


198  DESEET  LOVE 

"  Perchance  I  am  foolish,  missing  the  untold  and 
unknown  delights  of  wooing  the  woman  of  my  heart, 
but  in  such  wise  am  I  built.  I  will  have  all  the  fruit 
at  the  plucking  or  none,  for  where  is  the  delight  of  the 
sweetest  peach  if  the  stem,  the  leaves,  the  bloom  have 
been  bruised  by  much  handling. 

"  One  day,  nay  in  the  stillness  of  one  night  shall  I 
hear  you  call  me  —  then,  ah !  Allah !  " 

The  voice  stopped  suddenly,  though  the  man  made 
no  other  sign,  when  the  girl  before  him,  beside  herself 
with  anger  which  springs  from  love  denied,  suddenly 
struck  him  full  upon  the  mouth,  and  then  shaking  from 
head  to  foot,  with  rage,  and  love,  and  fear,  broke  the 
deadly  silence. 

"  Nay,  man !  In  that  you  are  mistaken,  for  you 
shall  never  hear  my  voice  calling  you  in  love.  That 
may  become  the  woman  of  your  land,  but  not  the 
woman  from  the  West.  I  will  marry  you,  for  I  will 
not  bring  derision  upon  a  man  who  has  treated  me  with 
such  courtesy  and  gentleness.  But  love !  Nay !  better 
far  buy  some  beautiful  Circassian  upon  our  wedding 
trip,  for  surely  you  shall  never  hear  my  voice  upraised 
in  love !  " 

And  gathering  her  swirling  draperies  about  her,  she 
made  to  depart,  knowing  that  she  had  spoken  hastily, 
making  vows  she  could  not  keep  for  the  very  love  she 
denied.  Her  hand  was  upon  the  silken  hangings  of 
her  door  when  she  was  swung  round  by  the  shoulder 
to  face  the  very  essence  of  cold  rage. 

"  So,  woman,  you  are  one  of  those  who  have  ever 
hidden  an  inner  chamber  of  perversity,  for  surely  had 
I  thought  to  have  come  to  the  end  of  your  store  of 


DESEET  LOVE  199 

moods  and  whims.  Listen !  By  striking  me  across  the 
face  you  have  but  made  my  love  the  greater,  but  as 
Allah  is  above  me,  I  will  make  you  pay,  as  you  say  in 
your  far  cold  country.  You  will  come  to  me  one  day, 
because  such  love  as  ours  is  not  to  be  denied,  and 
when  you  come,  for  that  blow  I  will  bruise  your  lips 
until  the  red  blood  starts  from  them,  and  I  will  bruise 
your  body  until  marks  of  black  show  upon  its  startling 
fairness,  but  above  all  will  I  bruise  your  soul  with 
unsatisfied  longings,  and  unrequited  desires,  until  you 
lie  half  dead  at  my  feet;  then  only  will  I  take  you  in 
my  arms  and  carry  you  to  the  secret  chamber,  which 
Pate  has  prepared  somewhere  for  the  fulfilment  of  my 
love." 

And  as  the  love-song  died  on  the  night,  Jill  passed 
slowly  into  the  inner  chamber,  failing  to  see  the  man 
kneel  to  kiss  the  rug  impressed  by  the  passage  of  her 
little  feet. 


PART  II 

THE  FLOWER 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

THE  Rolls  Royce  containing  representatives  of  the 
Savoy  and  Shepherds  in  the  shapes  of  beautifully 
gowned,  handsome,  placid,  somewhat  dull,  the  Hon- 
ourable Mary  Bingham,  pronounced  Beam,  her  friend 
Diana  Lytham,  and  the  rotund  personalities  of  Sir 
Timothy  and  Lady  Sarah  Ann  Gruntham,  drew  up 
behind  the  menacing  hand  of  a  policeman  alongside 
a  limousine  containing  representatives  of  Shepherds  and 
the  Savoy  in  the  shapes  of  two  rotund-to-be  daughters 
and  one  thin  son  of  the  race  of  Gruntham,  and  the 
Honourable  Mary's  faded  mother,  who  were  all  racing 
home  in  the  search  of  cool  baths,  or  cooler  drinks,  or  a 
few  moments'  repose  in  a  darkened  room  in  which  to 
forget  the  stifling  half  hours  of  a  series  of  social  func- 
tions, given  in  honour  of  Cairo's  most  festive  week  of 
the  season,  before  starting  on  a  dressing  campaign 
against  the  depredations  made  upon  the  skin  by  flies, 
heat,  sand,  wind,  and  cosmetics. 

The  past  middle-aged  Sir  Timothy  of  the  latest  birth- 
day honours,  partner  in  life  of  Lady  Gruntham,  and 
therefore  part  possessor  of  the  Gruntham  family,  was 
whole  owner  of  an  army  of  chimney  stacks  which, 
morning,  noon,  and  night,  belched  thick  oily  smoke 
across  one  of  England's  Northern  counties  in  the  process 
of  manufacturing  a  substitute  for  something;  also  he 
owned  a  banking  account  almost  as  big  as  his  honest 
old  heart. 

La  famille  Gruntham  were  breaking  their  first  wide- 
eyed,  open-mouthed  tour  de  monde  in  Cairo,  i»<*ring 

203 


204  DESERT  LOVE 

selected  their  hotel  from  an  advertisement  in  the  A.B.C. 

The  Honourable  Mary's  nondescript  mother  sat  pa- 
tiently waiting  the  decisive  moment  which  would  see 
her  en  route  once  more  to  tea  in  her  bedroom  and  the 
last  chapter  of  a  Hichens  novel,  as  she  had  patiently 
awaited  decisive  moments  for  years,  having  uncom- 
plainingly allowed  the  reins  which  controlled  the  large 
estate,  and  large  fortune,  to  slip  into  the  large,  capable 
hands  of  her  daughter,  just  as  she  had  also  either  as 
uncomplainingly  criss-crossed  the  world  in  the  wake  of 
her  daughter's  unaristocratically  large  footsteps,  or  sub- 
missively remained  at  home  for  the  hunting,  in  which 
field  the  Honourable  Mary  excelled. 

Diana  Lytham,  spinster,  through  no  want  of  trying 
to  remedy  the  defect,  expert  at  bridge,  razor-edged  of 
tongue,  but  still  youthful  enough  to  allow  the  lid  of 
Pandora's  casket  to  lift  on  occasions,  also  to  be  de- 
scribed by  those  who  feared  the  razor-edge  as  petulant 
instead  of  peevish,  and  cendree  instead  of  sandy,  passed 
the  tedious  moments  of  waiting  in  a  running  commen- 
tary upon  the  idiosyncrasies  and  oddities  of  the  people 
and  refreshments  of  the  past  hours,  with  a  verve  which 
she  fondly  believed  to  be  a  combination  of  sarcasm  and 
cynicism,  but  which,  in  reality,  was  the  kernel  of  the 
nut  of  spitefulness,  hanging  from  the  withering  bough 
of  the  tree  of  passing  youth. 

She,  having  an  atrocious  seat  and  knowing  it,  with 
the  excuse  of  England's  winter  dampness  had  fled  the 
hunting.  The  Gruntham's  younger  generation,  know- 
ing not  the  difference  between  a  hunter  and  a  carriage- 
horse,  had  not  given  the  subject  a  thought,  but  Mary 
Bingham  had  made  a  whole-hearted  sacrifice  of  the 


DESERT  LOVE  205 

month  she  loved  best  because,  although  loving  her  horses 
with  a  love  of  understanding,  she  knew  that  the  love  in 
her  heart  for  just  the  one  man,  was  a  love  passing  all 
understanding  whatsoever;  feeling,  therefore,  that  the 
sacrifice  brought  its  own  reward  in  the  qualified  bliss  of 
being  near  the  one  man  of  her  heart,  whilst  he  passed 
weeks  and  months  in  the  vain  endeavour  to  find  their 
friend,  who  had  been  lost  to  them  in  the  land  of  the 
long-dead  Pharaohs. 

"  Most  annoying  indeed  —  great  negligence  on  the 
part  of  the  city  police  to  allow  a  hold-up  like  this  at 
this  hour  of  the  afternoon.  No  wonder  Egypt's  in  the 
mess  of  ruins  it  is  if  this  is  the  way  traffic  has  always 
been  regulated,"  fumed  and  fretted  Sir  Timothy,  whilst 
Mary  Bingham  twirled  her  sunshade  over  her  hat  and 
gazed  unseeingly  at  the  domes,  cupolas,  and  minarets 
of  the  distant  mosque  of  the  Mohamet  AH;  and  the 
thin  heir  of  the  race  of  Gruntham  pondered  upon  the 
allurements  of  the  yashmak,  which  hid  all  but  the  eyes 
of  the  few  Eastern  women  who  glanced  timidly  in  pass- 
ing at  the  occupants  of  the  motor-cars. 

"  Now  then,  dearies,"  smiled  the  irate  old  knight's 
comfortable  wife,  "  don't  you  take  on  so,  though  I  do 
allow  it's  a  nuisance,  considering  I  have  to  get  into 
my  apricot  satin  to-night,  with  all  those  hooks.  Pity 
Sir  John  Wetherbourne  ain't  —  isn't  here,  it  u'd  never 
have  happened  I'm  sure  if  he  had  been,  seeing  the 
way  he  has  with  him,  though  I  can't  say  as  'ow  I 
approve  of  him  so  young  and  good-looking  —  and  all 
these  Eastern  hussies  around  —  wandering  about  so 
much  by  himself.  I  do  wonder  whait  'appened  —  all 
right,  lad,  there's  many  a  slip  between  the  aitch  and  the 


206  DESERT  LOVE 

noovoh  rich  lip,  h'appened  to  the  girl  he's  looking  for. 
Over  a  year  ago  you  say,  Mary,  my  dear,  since  she 
disappeared  at  Ishmael,  and  not  heard  of  since,  and 
Sir  John  scouring  Egypt  with  all  the  energy  I  used  to 
use  to  the  kitchen  floor,  and  not  half  the  result  to  show 
for  it,  eh,  Timothy  lad  ?  Do  you  think  he  was  in  love 
with  her,  or  is  it  a  case  of  —  oh,  what's  them  two 
words  which  mean  that  you  can't  think  of  anything  but 
one  -thing." 

"  Ide  fixe,"  enlightened  Diana  Lytham. 

"  Eyedyfix !  Sounds  like  one  of  those  cocktails  that 
heathen  feller-me-lad's  always  trying  to  poison  me  with, 
eh,  Miss  Diana,"  chuckled  the  old  manufacturer,  who 
worshipped  the  cloth  of  aristocracy,  and  even  rever- 
enced the  fringe. 

"  Oh,  you  bet  he  was  in  love  all  right,  don't  yoi. 
think  so,  Mary  dearest,"  and  the  small  grey  eyes 
snapped  spitefully  across  at  the  good-natured,  healthy 
girl,  who  had  raised  a  weak  resemblance  of  hate  in 
her  whilom  school  friend's  breast,  more  by  the  matter- 
of-course,  jolly  way  she  had  helped  lame  dogs  over 
stiles  than  the  fact  that  such  obstructions  had  never 
lain  in  her  path. 

"  Are  you  talking  about  Jack  and  Jill  ?  Everybody 
loved  her,  and  she  was  made  to  be  loved,  was  beautiful, 
wilful  Jillikins.  I  wish  he  could  find  her,  or  a  trace, 
or  some  news  of  her !  Oh,  but  surely  we  are  intruding 
upon  his  own  affairs  too  much,  and  I  wonder  what 

has Oh,  but  listen  —  do  listen,  did  you  ever  hear 

such  a  noise,  and  just  look  at  the  crowds!  Why,  the 
whole  of  old  Cairo  is  coming  this  way." 

Even  as  she  spoke,  two  Arabs,  mounted  on  superb 


DESEKT  LOVE  207 

horses,  and  brandishing  spears,  dashed  past  the  cars, 
shouting  continuously  what  would  be  the  equivalent  of 
"  clear  the  way  "  in  English,  just  as  to  the  sound  of 
shouting  and  singing,  the  beating  of  drums,  and  clash- 
ing of  cymbals,  a  stream  of  natives,  dancing  and  waving 
their  arms,  poured  into  the  square. 

Round  and  round  they  spun  about  six  great  camels, 
which,  hung  with  bells  and  decked  from  head  to  stubbly 
tail  with  glistening  harness  and  embroidered  saddle 
cloths,  stalked  ahead,  unheeding  of  the  tumult;  whilst 
riders  of  restless  horses  did  their  best  to  regulate  the 
action  and  pace  of  the  nervous  animals. 

Behind  them  walked  scores  of  young  men  in  snow- 
white  galabeah,  their  impassive,  delicately  curved  faces 
surmounted  by  the  scarlet  tarboosh,  chanting  that  old 
Egyptian  marriage  song  of  which  the  music  score  was 
lost  some  few  thousand  years  ago,  lying  perhaps  se- 
curely hidden  in  a  secret  chamber,  undiscovered  in 
the  ruins  of  Karnak,  but  which  song,  without  a  single 
alteration  of  note  or  word,  has  descended  from  Rameses 
the  Second  down  through  the  history-laden  centuries 
to  us,  the  discoverers  and  worshippers  of  ragtime. 

But  the  greatest  crush  surged  round  two  camels 
which  walked  disdainfully  through  the  throng,  seem- 
ingly as  oblivious  of  the  excited  multitude  as  the  one 
made  herself  out  to  be  of  the  man  who  walked  beside 
her  with  a  fantastic  whip,  and  the  other  of  the  golden 
chains  which  fastened  her  to  the  blackest  eunuch  of  all 
Africa. 

Upon  the  one  of  the  golden  chains,  rested  a  golden 
palanquin,  closed  with  curtains  of  softest  white  satin, 
a-glitter  with  precious  stones. 


208  DESERT  LOVE 

Around  the  brute's  neck  hung  great  garlands  of  flow- 
ers, from  its  harness  chimed  golden  bells  of  softest 
tone,  whilst  tassels  of  silver  swung  from  the  jewel  en- 
crusted net  covering  her  shining  coat. 

What  or  who  was  inside,  no  one  seemed  to  be  able  to 
coherently  explain,  though  the  setting  alone  told  of 
some  priceless  treasure. 

There  was  no  doubt  as  to  the  rider  of  the  other 
camel ! 

"  Hahmed !  Hahmed !  Hahmed !  "  rose  the  un- 
ceasing cry  from  old  and  young,  whilst  blessings  rang- 
ing from  the  continued  comfortable  shape  of  his  shadow, 
to  the  welfare  of  his  progeny  unto  the  most  far-reaching 
generation,  through  a  life  perpetual  of  sun,  sweetmeats, 
and  shady  streams,  rose  and  fell  from  the  pavements, 
roofs,  and  balconies  crowded  with  the  curious,  upon 
the  impassive  man  who  held  his  camel  harnessed  with 
native  simplicity,  just  one  pace  behind  its  companion. 

The  crowning  touch  was  added  to  this  delirious  mo- 
ment of  festival  by  the  simply  scandalous  distribution 
of  golden  coin,  golden  mind  you,  which  attendants 
clothed  in  every  colour  of  an  Egyptian  sunset,  and 
mounted  upon  diminutive,  but  piire  bred  donkeys, 
threw  right  and  left  with  no  stinting  hand,  to  the  dis- 
tribution of  which  largesse  responded  shrill  laughter, 
and  still  shriller  cries,  and  thwack  of  stick  on  dark 
brown  pate  and  cries  of  pain  upon  the  meeting  of  youth- 
ful ivories  in  the  aged  ankle  or  wrist. 

No  doubt  about  it,  Cairo,  real  Cairo  I  mean,  had 
been  in  an  uproar  from  the  moment  two  special  trains 
had  chugged  into  the  Central  Station  a  few  hours  back. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

CROWNED  and  uncrowned  queens  travel  in  comfort 
all  the  world  over,  a  comfort  of  over-heated  special 
trains,  the  most  stable  part  of  the  boat,  the  most  skilful 
chauffeur,  allied  to  the  most  speedy  car,  an  elaboration 
of  the  luncheon  basket,  and  the  heartening  effect  of 
strips  of  red  baize;  but  the  comfort  of  a  church  pew 
compared  to  the  downy  recesses  of  a  Chesterfield,  against 
the  comfort  and  regal  luxury  of  Jill's  mode  of  travelling. 

Surrounded  by  an  armed  guard  under  the  absolute 
control  of  black  Mustapha,  armed  to  the  teeth,  chap- 
eroned by  Mrs.  Grundy  in  the  shape  or,  as  I  should 
say,  represented  in  the  shapeless  person  of  a  dusky 
duenna  of  many  moons,  a  good  heart  and  a  vitriolic 
tongue,  who  coyly  peeped  from  behind  the  sombre  cur- 
tains of  her  middle-aged  palanquin,  Jill  started  on  her 
wedding  journey.  Over  a  carpet  of  flowers,  through 
a  long  lane  of  palm  leaves,  held  by  veiled  maidens,  so 
as  to  form  an  arch,  she  passed,  whilst  the  sweetness  of 
the  girls'  voices  rose  to  the  tops  of  the  acacia  and  mi- 
mosa trees,  and  gigantic  date  palms,  in  the  Egyptian 
bridal  song. 

In  no  way  did  Jill's  return  journey  across  the  desert 
find  through  the  mountains  to  the  canal's  edge  resemble 
the  out  going. 

She  did  it  with  leisure  and  comfort  this  time,  to  find 
the  Arab's  great  white  steam  yacht  waiting  to  race  her 
to  Ismailiah. 

209 


210  DESERT  LOVE 

She  had  looked  round  for  the  man  she  loved,  but 
had  seen  him  only  when,  with  great  pomp  and  circum- 
stance, she  landed  on  the  other  side. 

The  whole  of  the  town  had  turned  out,  so  that  the 
white  ear  in  which  she  made  the  short  trajet  between 
the  landing-place  and  the  station  passed  between  a  lane 
lined  with  male  faces,  dusky,  dark  brown,  and  light 
tan,  thousands  of  soft  eyes  sparkling  over  the  all-hiding, 
all-attractive  yashmak,  and  a  dotted  line,  well  in  the 
forefront  of  the  leather-brown,  European  physiogno- 
mies, of  those  who  nudged  and  pointed,  exclaiming 
aloud,  so  that  their  words  carried  even  into  the  interior 
of  the  closed  car,  upon  their  luck  of  seeing  a  real  native 
show. 

With  grave  obeisance  to  the  woman,  Hahmed  the 
Arab  had  entered  his  special  train,  which  preceded  Jill's 
by  ten  minutes,  so  that  when  she  arrived  at  Cairo  Cen- 
tral Station,  surrounded  by  her  armed  guard,  and  with 
her  duenna  rocking  painfully  by  her  side  in  a  pair  of 
over  small  shoes,  a  little  scared  at  the  sea  of  faces,  and 
the  echo  of  the  voices  of  those  who  stood  outside,  kept 
in  order  by  the  swash-buckling  native  police  of  fez 
ornamented  heads,  she  had  stood  transfixed,  wondering 
what  on  earth  she  should  do  next. 

Verily,  the  Eastern  can  carry  off  a  situation  which 
would  undoubtedly  fill  the  Western  with  consternation. 

Perhaps  the  clothing  has  as  much  to  do  with  it  as  any 
national  traits,  for  surely  no  man  in  stove-pipe  trousers, 
and  all  that  goes  to  the  well-looking  of  these  garments, 
could  have  so  composedly  traversed  the  broad  flower- 
strewn  carpet,  laid  with  the  consent  of  the  authorities 
and  no  little  distribution  of  backsheesh  upon  the  dusty 


DESERT  LOVE  211 

station,  and  making  deep  obeisance,  have  so  serenely 
led  the  little  cloaked  and  veiled  figure  to  the  gorgeously 
caparisoned  (if  one  may  apply  that  term  to  the  ship  of 
the  desert's  rigging)  camel,  which  sprawled  its  neck 
upon  the  ground  for  the  benefit  of  the  motley  crowd 
without. 

Anyway,  it  was  an  unbelievable  thing  to  happen  in 
Egypt,  the  land  of  veiled  and  secluded  women.  It  was 
wonderful  enough  to  know  that  the  great  Hahmed  was 
taking  unto  himself  a  wife,  but  that  that  wife  should 
suddenly  appear  from  out  of  the  desert  unknown,  un- 
seen —  well,  it  took  one's  breath  away,  indeed  it  did, 
but  well  again  —  seeing  the  wealth  and  power  of  the 
man,  it  was  wiser  to  rejoice  than  to  quibble  and  gossip 
upon  such  doings. 

So  all  along  the  Sharia  Clot  Bey,  which  is  the  elec- 
trically lit,  motor  filled,  modern  shop-lined  road  lead- 
ing from  the  station,  Jill  peeped  between  the  curtains 
at  the  throngs  of  jubilant  natives,  and  the  surrounding 
Western  looking  buildings. 

She  felt  hurt  to  the  soul  by  the  modernity  of  the 
latter,  just  as  she  had  been  hurt  on  arriving  in  Rome 
and  Venice,  until  later  on  she  had  found  balm  in  the 
old  stones  and  streets  and  buildings  of  both  placea 
hidden  behind  the  twentieth  century. 

Jill  knew  that  she  was  being  taken  to  the  palace  of 
the  old  Sheikh,  uncle  of  the  man  she  was  about  to  wed, 
but  where  it  was  she  had  no  idea,  nor  of  the  names  of 
the  streets,  the  mosques  or  the  palaces  and  the  mansions 
she  could  spy  upon,  from  between  her  satin  curtains, 
on  her  way  to  the  Bab-es-Shweyla  gate.  The  route  they 
had  taken  in  the  glow  of  the  setting  sun,  once  they  had 


212  DESERT  LOVE 

left  European  Cairo  behind,  lay  through  the  El  Katai 
quarter,  having  chosen  the  road  leading  from  the 
mosque  of  Sultan  Hassan,  through  the  Bazaar  of  the 
Amourers  to  reach  the  great  gate,  the  very  heart  of  old 
Cairo. 

And  the  girl's  whole  being  seemed  inundated  with 
the  light  of  the  gorgeous  heavens  above  her  as  she 
passed  down  the  Sukkariya,  the  broad  and  pleasant 
path  running  under  the  gate,  and  her  eyes  shone  as 
they  rested  on  the  huge  and  ancient  El-Azhar,  the  uni- 
versity of  all  Islam. 

Past  mosque  and  tomb  in  the  El-Nahassin,  whilst 
minarets  turned  from  gold  to  rose,  and  rose  to  crimson 
in  the  dying  sun,  up  through  the  Gamahyia,  danced 
arid  sang  the  ever  increasing  multitude,  until  the  armed 
guard  suddenly  came  to  a  standstill,  forming  a  circle 
round  the  two  camels,  who  had  haughtily  condescended 
to  kneel,  as  Jill  with  her  hand  in  that  of  her  chaperon, 
passing  between  rows  of  salaaming  servants,  wonder- 
ing what  had  become  of  Hahmed,  and  where  she  was 
going,  and  if  tea  could  possibly  be  forthcoming  instead 
of  coffee,  entered  a  courtyard,  beautiful  beyond  words, 
and  passing  through  the  gates  leading  to  the  harem, 
heard  them  shut  behind  her;  whilst  with  little  cries  of 
greeting,  the  four  wives  and  many  inhabitants  of  this 
secluded  spot  swept  down  upon  her,  their  dainty,  henna- 
tipped  fingers  quickly  removing  her  cloak  and  veil, 
their  little  exclamations  of  astonishment  testifying  to 
their  appreciation  of  the  radiant  little  vision  who  smiled 
so  sweetly  upon  them,  and  returned  their  greetings  in 
such  prettily  broken  Arabic. 

Only  one  contretemps  had  marred  the  perfect  organ- 


DESERT  LOVE  213 

isation  of  the  proceedings,  and  that  happened  when  the 
advance  guard,  turning  a  corner  at  full  speed,  regard- 
less of  the  life  and  limbs  of  the  seething  mass  of  adults, 
babies,  and  dogs,  had  found  themselves  forced  to  edify 
the  spectators  with  an  exhibition  of  haute  ecole,  as  their 
terrified  horses,  suddenly  rearing,  pawed  the  quivering 
air  above  a  brace  of  camels,  who  had  lawlessly  and 
obstinately  stretched  themselves  forth  upon  the  soft 
bed  of  mud  and  house  garbage  spread  liberally  through- 
out one  of  the  narrowest  streets  in  El-Katia. 

Proddings  of  spears,  and  kickings  of  tender  ana- 
tomical portions  availing  nothing,  the  last  means  for  the 
hasty  moving  of  obstreperous  camels  had  been  resorted 
to  with  success. 

The  following  is  the  recipe : 

Take  two  or  more  camels,  fully  laden  for  choice, 
stretched  at  length  across  a  narrow  street.  For  re- 
moval of  same,  apply  a  vigorous  drubbing  by  means 
of  a  stick  or  sticks.  If  no  result,  apply  foot  with  yet 
more  vigour.  If  this  fails,  gather  an  armful  of  good 
dry  straw,  fix  it  cunningly  under  the  animal's  belly, 
apply  match,  and  fly  for  your  life  to  the  nearest  sanc- 
tuary. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

JILL  had  been  married  a  fortnight.  Everything 
down  to  the  minutest  detail  had  passed  off  perfectly, 
everything  had  been  duly  signed  and  sealed  and  con- 
ducted in  the  most  orthodox  and  binding  manner,  leav- 
ing the  witnesses  breathless  at  the  thought  of  the  land, 
jewels,  houses,  and  cattle  with  which  Hahmed  the 
Arab  endowed  this  woman  who  brought  him  nothing 
excepting  beauty,  which  was  not  exactly  beauty,  but 
rather  colouring,  plus  brain  and  charm. 

Not  even  love  had  she  brought  it  seemed,  or  obedi- 
ence, for  had  not  her  lord  and  master  uncomplainingly 
allowed  her  to  keep  the  door  of  her  apartments  closed, 
neither  had  he  insisted  on  the  dyeing  of  her  golden 
hair  to  that  henna  shade,  of  which  so  much  is  thought 
in  the  land  of  black  hirsute  coverings. 

The  feasting  and  rejoicings  of  the  past  ten  days  had 
surpassed  anything  ever  dreamt  of  on  the  banks  of  the 
Nile. 

There  had  been  tournaments  and  exhibitions  of 
strength  and  agility  and  horsemanship  in  the  day,  and 
dancing  by  the  most  famous  dancers  in  the  land  by 
night  —  dances,  let  me  tell  you,  in  spite  of  what  you 
gather  by  hearsay  or  ocular  proof  in  such  cesspools  as 
Port  Said  and  kindred  towns,  which  were  lessons  in 
modesty  compared  to  that  blush-producing  exercise 
called  the  Tango  and  its  descendants. 

214 


DESERT  LOVE  215 

The  harem  was  a  cage  of  excited  love-birds  to  whom 
were  duly  brought  detailed  accounts  of  the  nightly  and 
daily  doings.  Never  had  there  been  such  a  commotion 
within  the  somewhat  over-decorated  walls,  nor  had  the 
great  mirrors  reflected  such  sheen  of  wondrous  silks, 
and  satins,  and  flashing  jewels;  whilst  sweetmeats, 
coffee,  and  cool  drinks  were  the  order  of  the  day  for 
the  sustenance  and  refreshment  of  the  never-ending 
stream  of  high-born  ladies,  who  from  far  and  near  and 
in  all  kinds  of  covered  vehicles  hastened  with  the  excuse 
of  greeting  the  wife  of  the  great  Arab,  to  gather  first 
hand  delectable  morsels  of  gossip  anent  her  strange 
methods  of  procedure,  and  her  master's  still  stranger 
leniency  towards  her. 

"  Truly,"  remarked  Fatima  (which  is  not  her  real 
name),  the  thirteen-year-old  and  latest  addition  to  the 
harem,  and  therefore  favourite  of  the  old  Sheikh,  as  for 
the  eighth  time  she  changed  her  costume,  and  with  the 
tip  of  her  henna  pink  finger  skilfully  removed  a  too 
liberal  application  of  kohl  from  about  her  right  and 
lustrous  eye,  whilst  chatting  with  her  maid.  "  Truly, 
I  say,  the  man  is  either  besotted  with  love,  or  suffering 
from  some  strange  malady.  Nigh  upon  the  passage  of 
ten  days  and  nights,  and  yet  he  bends  not  the  woman 
to  his  will,  and  she  more  luscious  than  a  peach  from 
the  southern  wall.  Thinkest  thou  it's  love,  oh  Fuddja? 
And  thinkest  thou  the  whiteness  of  my  bosom  shows  to 
advantage  against  the  gold  of  my  neckband  ?  " 

And  Fuddja,  dutifully  likening  the  beauties  of  her 
mistress  to  those  of  the  white  doe,  whereas  in  verity 
they  favoured  the  contour  of  the  plump  poussin,  with 
promise  of  distinct  obesity  within  the  passage  of  a 


216  DESERT  LOVE 

very  few  years,  proceeded  to  recount  the  latest  news, 
which  was  none  other  than  the  fact  that  within  the  next 
few  days  Hahmed  would  remove  his  wife  unto  his  own 
habitation  on  the  other  side  of  the  city. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

HAVING  just  wrested  a  promise  from  Hahmed  that 
he  would  take  her  one  moonlight  night  to  the  summit 
of  the  Great  Pyramid,  in  spite  of  the  strict  rules  against 
such  nightly  excursions,  Jill  sat  very  still  and  quite 
content  upon  her  camel  gazing  at  the  Sphinx.  She 
turned  and  looked  in  the  direction  where  the  great  eyes 
were  staring,  and  then  turning  once  more  towards  the 
mystery  of  all  ages,  she  urged  her  camel  on  until  it 
stood  close  to  the  base,  and  then,  dissatisfied,  she  urged 
it  back  until  she  could  look  once  more  from  a  distance, 
and  shaking  her  head  with  a  little  sigh,  spoke  in  a 
whisper  to  the  man  at  her  side. 

"  I  wonder,  Hahmed,"  she  said,  holding  out  her  hand 
as  was  her  habit  when  perplexed  or  distressed,  "  I  won- 
der who  conceived  the  idea.  No!  I  mean  something 
quite  different  —  it  is  —  how  shall  I  say  —  I  wonder 
who  it  was  who,  having  the  meaning  of  that  face  in  his 
mind,  had  the  power  and  the  will  to  hold  it  there  while 
he  carved  or  chipped  it  —  oh !  so  slowly  into  stone.  It 
is  easy  enough  to  paint  from  a  model,  or  hew  blocks  of 
marble  in  the  shape  of  a  man  or  a  woman  or  animal, 
isn't  it  —  when  you  have  them  in  front  with  their 
expressions  and  their  forms?  But  how  did  the  man 
who  did  this  with  only  a  picture  in  his  mind  to  rel^  on 
dare  to  use  a  chisel  ?  Because  you  can't  rub  oat  mis- 
takes in  stone,  and  sketches  wouldn't  have  helped  him, 

217 


218  DESERT  LOVE 

would  they,  because  even  photographs  give  one  no  real 
idea  of  all  the  Sphinx  means  ?  And  I  wonder  where 
the  look  lies  —  in  the  eyes  or  the  whole  face,  or  the  set 
of  the  head,  or  what  ?  The  eyes  are  rather  like  a  dog's, 
aren't  they  —  a  sort  of  wistfulness  and  steadfastness." 

"  Many  have  asked,  O !  woman,  though  not  many  who 
have  looked  upon  the  Sphinx  have,  I  think,  thought 
upon  just  your  first  point.  What  do  we  know  about 
this  living  stone  before  which  the  mightiest,  and  most 
wonderful,  and  most  beautiful  works  of  even  the  greatest 
masters  seem  as  nothing  ?  Who  was  he  ?  WTiose  brain 
conceived,  and  hands  gave  birth  to  this  mystery  ?  Why 
is  his  name  not  engraved  somewhere  for  us  pigmies  to 
read  ?  Though  doubtless  it  is  in  the  depths  of  the  hid- 
den chambers  in  the  base  which  up  to  now  have  only 
been  superficially  examined." 

"  Yes !  "  broke  in  Jill,  "  but  whoever  he  was,  slave  or 
prince,  captive  or  free,  ivlio  taught  him  what  eternity 
looks  like;  for  that  surely  is  is  what  the  Sphinx  sees, 
the  circle  with  no  join,  the  world  —  not  this  one  —  not 
Egypt  —  without  end.  We  all  say  for  ever  and  ever, 
but  our  brains  reel  when  we  think  for  one  minute  on 
eternity.  Do  you  think  his  brain  snapped  when  he  put 
the  last  stroke?  Do  you  think  he  was  buried  with 
decency  with  his  chisels  beside  him  ?  " 

"  No !  surely  not !  Otherwise,  Moonflower.  some- 
body would  have  dug  him  out  along  with  the  Pharaohs, 
and  priests,  and  courtesans,  so  that  we  should  have 
learned  something  about  him  by  turning  his  mummified 
body  inside  out,  and  unwinding  the  burial  cloth  from 
about  those  fingers  which  have  given  us  the  Sphinx. 
Strange!  that  a  woman's  whim,  born  of  vanity,  should 


DESERT  LOVE  219 

be  spoken  of  with  bated  breath,  even  to  this  day!  A 
woman  melts  a  pearl  and  the  world  continues  to  cry  Ah ! 
through  all  time;  a  man  creates  this,  and  no  record  is 
left  of  him.  Verily  Allah  has  blessed  me  in  giving  you 
into  my  hands,  for  behold  your  thoughts  are  as  sweet 
to  me  as  the  wind  that  blows  through  the  mimosa  trees 
at  dawn." 

The  girl  turned  a  serious  face  towards  Hahmed  and 
smiled  sweetly. 

"  How  small  and  futile  we  are,  Hahmed,  in  front  of 
this  great  thing.  See  how  it,  I  say  it  because  surely 
there  is  no  sex  in  any  one  part  of  it,  brushes  us  aside, 
not  in  indifference,  but  just  because  to  it  we  simply  do 
not  exist  any  more  than  the  sand,  even  less  so,  because 
the  sand  in  time  would  even  blind  those  eyes.  How  I 
wish  I  could  see  it  lying  uncovered  on  its  base.  And  I 
somehow  can't  imagine  that  Mary  laid  the  Infant  Christ 
to  rest  between  its  paws !  How  did  they  cross  the  desert 
on  one  poor  ass  ?  How  would  they,  so  humble  and  so 
poor,  be  able  to  approach  the  Sphinx  with  its  guards 
about  it  ?  And  I  wonder  if  they  will  ever  open  up  the 
abaft  and  search  until  they  find  the  history  on  the  walls 
of  the  base  which,  I  am  sure,  buries  somebody  down  in 
its  depths. 

"Eternity!  and  yet  I  fret  and  worry,  get  cross  — 
cross,  Hahmed,  which  is  so  much  more  little  than  angry 
—  and  love  to  tease  and  give  pain.  Forgive  me !  " 

And  something  had  crept  into  the  girl's  voice  which 
caused  the  man  to  lean  forward,  and  very  gently  to  tilt 
Jill's  face  upward  so  that  the  moon  struck  down  full 
upon  it. 

But  the  heavy  lids  veiled  the  eyes,  so  that  nothing 


220  DESERT  LOVE 

could  be  seen  of  the  wonder  of  all-time  reflected  therein. 
A  wonder  of  the  birth  of  which  there  is  no  record;  a 
mystery  which  has  a  million  times  million  shapes,  each 
shape  fashioned  afresh,  yet  always  the  same ;  a  mystery 
besides  which  the  Sphinx  is  as  a  grain  of  sand.  The 
mystery  of  Love. 

And  Hahmed  the  Arab,  who  had  waited  since  all 
eternity  for  this  moment  of  time,  raised  one  hand  to 
heaven  and  praised  his  God,  and  then  leant  forward 
to  readjust  the  veil  before  the  woman's  face. 

"  The  Sphinx  shall  not  see  your  face,  neither  shall 
the  stars,  nor  shall  the  wind  touch  your  mouth,  O !  my 
beloved!  For  I  would  take  you  to  the  ruins  of  the 
Temple  of  Khafra,  where  the  rose  colour  -of  the  stone 
shall  tint  your  face  and  your  hands,  where  eyes  shall 
not  see  nor  hear  the  story  of  the  love  I  have  to 
tell  you."  ' 

And  leaning  across  he  put  his  arm  about  Jill  and 
lifted  her  from  her  saddle,  and  laid  her  across  his  knees 
with  her  head  in  the  hollow  of  his  shoulder. 

"  I  am  of  the  desert,  O !  my  woman,  of  the  sandstorm 
and  the  winds,  the  rocks,  and  the  heat  —  I  have  no 
desire  this  night  for  soft  cushions,  nor  for  the  fra- 
grance of  the  hanging  curtains  of  your  chamber.  I  love 
you,  Allah,  and  this  time  I  will  not  wait.  You  have 
played  with  me  for  many  moons !  Not  even  once  have 
I  laid  my  lips  upon  even  the  whiteness  of  your  hand 
since  Allah  in  His  greatness  made  you  my  wife  in  the 
name  before  the  law.  At  your  wish  I  have  denied  my- 
self all,  until  I  have  longed  to  bring  you  to  my  feet 
with  the  lash  of  the  whip  —  yet  have  I  waited,  knowing 


DESERT  LOVE  221 

that  the  moment  of  your  surrender  would  be  the  sweeter 
for  it. 

"  And  the  spirits  of  the  past  shall  be  your  hand- 
maidens, and  the  moon  shall  be  your  lamp,  and  the  sand 
shall  be  your  marriage-couch  this  night  —  and  I,  O ! 
woman  —  I  shall  be  your  master." 

And  who  knows  if  it  Avas  not  love  who  wrought  upon 
the  granite  until  the  Sphinx  was  born?  For  after  all 
Love  is  eternal,  and  eternity  is  Love. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

THE  silver  shafts  of  the  full  moon  struck  down  into 
the  ruined  outer  courts  of  the  Temple  of  Khafra, 
turning  the  rose-colour  of  the  granite  to  a  dull  terra- 
cotta, and  picking  out  the  pavement  with  weird  designs 
of  gigantic  beasts  and  flowers,  the  which,  when  Jill  put 
her  foot  upon  them,  proved  to  be  nothing  more  harmful 
than  the  shadows  thrown  by  the  walls  and  huge  blocks 
of  fallen  masonry. 

Slowly  she  crossed  the  court  and  as  slowly  climbed 
the  incline  leading  to  the  chambers  of  long  dead  priests 
and  priestesses,  pausing  at  the  opening  with  a  little 
catch  of  the  breath  and  a  quick  glance  at  the  man  she 
loved  beside  her. 

The  darkness  of  Egypt  is  a  common  enough  expres- 
sion on  the  lips  of  those  who  know  nothing  of  what 
they  are  talking  about,  and  Jill,  who  had  often  used  the 
words,  stood  transfixed  at  the  abysmal  blackness  in 
front  of  her. 

Outside  it  was  as  clear  as  day,  inside  it  was  darker 
than  any  night,  and  like  a  flash  the  girl  compared  it 
with  her  life  at  that  very  moment. 

Up  to  now  she  had  been  her  own  mistress,  in  that  she 
had  deliberately  and  of  her  own  free  will  done  the 
things  she  ought  and  ought  not  to  have  done,  and  had 
been  content  with  the  result. 

True,  she  was  married  to  the  man  beside  her,  bound 
to  him  by  law,  his  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and  of  Allah 

222 


DESERT  LOVE 

Who  is  God,  but  she  knew  full  well  that  untii  dhe  called 
to  him  and  surrendered  herself  in  love,  that  she  was  as 
free  as  any  maiden  could  be  in  that  land,  and,  she 
thought,  that  doubtless  in  time  he  would  tire  of  her 
caprice  and  let  her  go,  taking  unto  himself  another  as 
wife.  In  which  surmise  she  was  utterly  mistaken ! 

Should  she  move  forward  into  the  darkness  ?  Should 
she  turn  back  into  the  light  ? 

If  she  crossed  the  threshold  she  knew  she  would  seek 
the  protection  of  his  arms  against  the'threatenings  of 
the  shadows  which  surely  held  the  spirits  of  the  past; 
and  in  his  arms,  why!  even  at  the  thought  her  heart 
leapt  and  her  face  burned  beneath  the  veil. 

If  she  turned  back  she  would  return  to  her  position 
of  honoured  guest  in  the  man's  house,  a  barren,  unsatis- 
fying position  for  one  in  whom  youth  cried  for  love  and 
mastery. 

If  only  Hahmed  would  make  a  sign,  a  movement ;  if 
only  he  would  say  one  word.  But  he  stood  motion  less 
just  behind  her,  waiting  himself,  with  the  oriental's 
implicit  belief  for  some  deciding  sign  from  Fate. 

There  was  no  sound,  no  sign  of  life  as  they  stood 
waiting,  and  then  the  night  breeze,  gently  lifting  a 
corner  of  the  Arab's  full  white  cloak,  wrapped  it  like 
some  great  wing  about  the  girl. 

A  thrill  swept  her  from  head  to  foot  as  she  pressed 
her  hands  above  her  heart,  and  then  with  eyes  wide 
open  and  alight  with  love  stepped  across  the  threshold 
into  the  shadows,  unknowingly  turning  the  corner  of 
that  block  of  granite  which  hides  the  opening,  leaving 
one  in  complete  and  utter  darkness. 

She  flung  out  her  hands  and  felt  nothing,   turnod 


224:  DESERT  LOVE 

swiftly  and  flung  them  out  again,  vainly  searching  for 
the  Arab's  cloak,  and  finding  nothing  let  them  fall  to 
her  side. 

"  My  God !  "  she  whispered,  and  moved  a  step  for- 
ward, stopped  and  listened  and  moved  back.  "  Hahmed ! 
Hahmed !  " 

She  called  aloud  in  fear,  she  who  had  never  known 
what  it  was  to  be  afraid,  and  she  gave  a  little  sob  of 
pure  relief  when  the  Arab  answered  from  the  distance 
of  a  few  feet. 

"  Wherefore  are  you  afraid,  O !  woman  ?  Behold  I 
am  near  you,  watching  you,  for  my  eyes  are  trained  for 
the  night  as  well  as  for  the  day,  even  though  your  eyes, 
which  are  as  the  turquoise  set  in  a  crown  of  glory,  may 
not  pierce  the  darkness,  being  unaccustomed  to  the  vio- 
lent contrasts  and  colourings  of  the  East." 

Then  fell  a  silence. 

And  then  the  perfume  of  the  night,  and  the  scent  of 
the  sand  and  the  spirit  of  the  dead  women  who  had 
lived  and  loved  even  in  that  temple  chamber,  assailed 
the  nostrils  of  the  girl,  entering  in  unto  her  and  causing 
a  wave  of  longing  and  unutterable  love  to  rise  and  flood 
her  whole  being,  so  that  she  smiled  sweetly  to  herself 
and  held  out  her  arms,  and  trembled  not  at  the  thought 
of  the  moment  awaiting  her. 

"  Hahmed !  Hahmed !  "  she  called  softly  from  love, 
and  hearing  no  sound  called  again  and  yet  more  softly. 
"  Come  to  me,  Hahmed !  come  to  me  —  because  —  I 
love  you !  " 

And  her  master  held  her  in  one  arm  whilst  he  gently 
removed  the  veil  from  before  her  face,  which  she  turned 


DESERT  LOVE  225 

and  laid  against  his  heart  as  he  poured  forth  his  soul  in 
an  ecstasy  of  love. 

"  Behold !  "  he  cried,  as  he  removed  the  outer  cloak 
from  about  her.  "  Behold  is  my  beloved  like  unto  a 
citadel  which  has  fallen  before  my  might,  and  the  gates 
thereof  are  unbarred  before  the  conqueror ! 

"  Behold."  and  Jill's  head  veil  fell  to  her  feet,  "  is 
the  citadel  fair  to  look  upon,  from  the  glistening  of  the 
golden  cupolas  to  the  feet  awash  in  the  River  of  Love. 

"  Surrounded  by  the  ivory  wall  of  innocence  is  she, 
and  unto  her  lord  is  the  glory  of  measuring  the  circum- 
ference thereof. 

"  Even  as  a  flowering  tree  is  she,  and  beneath  my 
hands  shall  the  bloom  of  love  turn  even  unto  the  passion 
flower. 

"  Like  unto  a  Court  of  Love  is  my  heart's  delight, 
and  many  are  the  chambers  therein,  in  which  in  the  heat 
of  the  day  and  the  coolness  of  the  night  I  shall  find 
repose. 

"  Her  fingers  are  as  the  lattice  before  the  windows  of 
her  joy,  through  which  she  shall  peep,  looking  for  the 
coming  of  her  lord;  her  lashes  are  the  silken  curtains 
which  she  will  draw  before  the  twin  pools  of  love 
which  arc  her  eyes ;  her  body  is  as  a  column  of  alabaster 
in  the  shadow  of  which  I  shall  find  my  delight ! 

"  Yea !  the  citadel  has  fallen,  and  the  walls  about  it 
are  riven  at  my  approach.  Allah !  Allah !  Allah !  " 

And  the  shadows  crept  gently  about  them  as  once 
more  the  silence  fell,  and  gathered  again  into  the  cor- 
ners as  Jill  sighed  softly. 

"  Tremble  not,  my  beloved !  for  behold  I  love  thee  I 


226  DESERT  LOVE 

Gentle  is  love  to  such  as  thee,  and  soft  is  the  sand  of 
Egypt  which  shall  be  thy  couch.  And  yet,  tho»  child 
of  love,  even  at  this  moment  when  my  heart  waxeth 
faint  within  me  from  love  of  thee,  yet  will  I  Msten, 
and  take  thee  back  unto  thy  dwelling  and  thy  fragrant 
chamber  if  so  thou  desireth !  " 

But  Jill,  lifting  her  arms,  laid  her  hands  in  utter 
submission  upon  the  man's  breast,  and  sighed  again  in 
perfect  content  beneath  the  kisses  which  covered  *hem, 
and  her  arms  and  her  breasts  and  her  beautiful  mouth. 

"  As  thou  wilt,"  she  whispered  softly,  "  only  a?  thou 
wilt." 

And  verily  as  a  young  tree  she  stood  in  the  glory 
of  her  youth  with  her  feet  upon  the  sands  of  Egypt, 
and  verily  was  her  heart  glad  when  she  was  carried  into 
the  inner  chamber,  and  passed  into  the  keeping  of  her 
master  for  ever. 


CHAPTEE  XXXVII 

SOME  months  had  gone,  and  the  sun  sparkled  on  the 
water  of  the  little  singing  stream,  though  bitter  winds 
had  hlown  and  all-enveloping  sand  had  swirled  about 
the  palms  which  surrounded  Jill's  beautiful  home  in 
the  oasis,  of  which  the  reins  were  gradually  slipping 
into  fingers  skilled  in  driving  anything  from  a  four- 
in-hand  to  a  donkey  in  a  cart. 

Three  mornings  a  week,  an  hour  after  dawn,  she 
gave  audience  to  all  those  who,  with  grievance  or  in 
difficulty,  desired  her  help  or  advice;  for  which  cere- 
mony, and  having  the  dramatic  instinct,  she  had  caused 
a  clearing  to  be  made  in  the  shade  of  the  palms,  under 
the  biggest  of  which  she  had  also  had  placed  a  great 
chair  of  snow-white  marble,  in  which,  clothed  always  in 
white,  she  would  seat  herself,  her  passionate  mouth 
smiling  happily  behind  the  yashmak  whilst  over  it  the 
great  eyes,  into  which  had  crept  a  look  of  infinite  ten- 
derness in  the  months  that  had  passed,  would  scrutinise 
the  people  standing  humbly  and  astounded  before  her. 

She  would  look  across  upon  mothers  with  obstreper- 
ous sons  who  would  not  work,  or  would  not  wed ;  moth- 
ers who  beat  their  breasts  in  despair  at  the  utter  lack 
of  looks  or  grace  in  the  unfortunately  multiplied  fem- 
inine arrows  within  the  parental  quiver;  young  men 
who  craved  a  word  of  recommendation  BO  as  to  obtain 
a  certain  post;  older  men  who  craved  an  overdraft  at 

227 


228  DESERT  LOVE 

the  bank  of  her  patience;  young  mothers  whose  in- 
fants were  either  too  fat  or  too  lean,  or  with  eyes 
half-eaten  away  with  disease ;  all  of  whom  having  re- 
ceived a  full  measure  of  help,  pressed  down  and  run- 
ning over,  and  having  bestrewn  themselves  upon  the 
ground  around  her  chair,  would  depart  in  high  fettle 
to  spread  the  news  of  this  wonder  woman,  their  mis- 
tress, in  whom  they  felt  such  inordinate  pride;  so  that 
one,  then  two,  then  more,  from  distances  long  and  short, 
would  creep  into  the  council  with  pretexts  ranging 
from  the  thin  to  the  absolutely  transparent,  until  one 
morning  the  whole  seance  ended  in  an  unseemly  fracas 
between  the  legitimate  and  the  illegitimate  seekers  after 
help  in  word  or  kind,  whereupon  Hahmed,  rising  in 
his  wrath,  smote  them  verbally  hip  and  thigh,  and  Jill 
departed  in  high  dudgeon,  leaving  the  culprits  to  wilt 
in  the  frost  of  her  keen  displeasure. 

And  from  about  that  date,  a  month  ago,  everything 
seemed  to  have  gone  wrong. 

Days  of  depression  would  follow  days  of  mad  spirits, 
hours  when  she  was  as  the  sweetest  scented  rose  within 
the  hands  of  the  Arab,  followed  by  interminable 
stretches  of  time  when  the  points  of  the  "  wait-a-bit " 
thorn  were  blunt  compared  to  the  exceeding  sharpness 
of  her  temper. 

Days  when  all  that  was  right  was  wrong,  and  all 
that  was  wrong  was  wrong,  so  that  her  women  crept 
quietly,  and  Hahmed  wondered  sometimes  if  some 
"  afreet "  l  haunted  the  soil  and  had  taken  possession 
of  the  soul  of  his  beloved. 

Jill  swung  to  and  fro  in  a  hammock  slung  between 

i  Evil  Spirit. 


DESERT  LOVE  229 

two  palms  at  a  very  early  hour  indeed  of  this  morning 
late  in  December. 

She  had  neither  veil  before  her  face  nor  shoes  upon 
her  feet,  and  the  flimsy  mauve  robe  clung  to  the  supple 
body  as  she  restlessly  swung,  until  she  clapped  her 
hands  to  summon  her  breakfast,  and  clapped  them 
again  sharply  so  that  a  figure  came  running  at  high 
pressure. 

"  Go,  ask  thy  master  if  he  will  break  bread  with  me 
in  the  shade  of  the  palms,  oh  Laleah,  and  let  not  the 
shadows  lengthen  unduly  in  thy  going  for  fear  that  I 
give  thee  cause  to  hasten  thy  footsteps !  " 

Which  manner  of  speech  shows  that  Jill  had  not 
unduly  tarried  either  in  acquiring  knowledge  of  things 
Eastern.  And  Hahmed,  as  he  stood  before  her  and 
greeted  her  in  the  beautiful  Arabian  tongue,  wondered 
if  in  all  the  world  there  could  be  found  such  another 
picture  as  that  of  his  wife,  with  the  riot  of  red-gold 
hair  about  her  little  face,  which  somehow  seemed  over 
white  in  the  shade  of  the  palm,  and  the  blueness  of  her 
eyes,  and  the  redness  of  her  mouth,  which  neither  the 
one  nor  the  other  smiled  at  his  approach. 

"  Do  sit  down  and  help  yourself !  "  said  she  indeed, 
and  clapping  her  hands  sharply  ordered  fresh  food  and 
drinks,  both  hot  and  cold,  to  be  brought  upon  the  in- 
stant. 

And  her  next  remark,  after  the  breakfast  of  tea  in  a 
real  teapot,  a  hissing  kettle,  strange  loaves,  purest 
butter,  honey,  and  fruits  of  every  conceivable  colour 
had  been  laid  upon  a  cloth  upon  the  grass,  fell  like 
a  bolt  from  the  blue,  though  the  man  made  no  sign  of 
disturbance  from  the  impact. 


230  DESERT  LOVE 

"  I  want  eggs  and  bacon,  Hahmed !  " 

For  a  moment  he  pondered  the  remark,  whilst  he 
offered  Jill  a  cigarette  and  lit  one  for  himself. 

"  The  eggs,  my  woman,"  and  the  musical  voice  made 
a  poem  even  of  the  absurd  words,  "  now  that  thou  hast 
taught  thy  slaves  to  poach  and  scramble  and  prepare 
them  in  divers  and  pleasant  ways,  are  easy  —  but  bacon 
—  no!  that  canst  thou  not  have  amongst  these  mv  peo- 
ple!" 

And  Jill  swung  ceaselessly  to  and  fro,  looking  at 
the  man  sitting  a  few  yards  from  her  on  a  rug,  before 
she  answered  in  tersest  English: 

"  Don't  be  dense,  Hahmed !     I  want  eggs  and  ba- 
con, and  a  starched  finger  napkin  —  toast  in  a  rack  — 
covered  dishes  —  marmalade  —  I'm  —  I'm " 

"Fed  up!" 

The  deep  voice  filled  in  the  pause  also  in  tersest 
English. 

For  one  moment  Jill  sat  up  as  straight  as  the  ham- 
mock would  allow,  and  then  for  the  first  time  in  many 
days  broke  into  a  peal  of  sweetest  laughter,  and  swing- 
ing herself  clear  of  the  net  ran  over  and  laid  herself 
down  upon  the  rug  beside  the  man,  with  her  chin  in 
the  palms  of  her  hands,  to  find  herself  the  next  moment 
in  his  arms,  whilst  he  looked  down  into  her  eyes  with- 
out speaking.  Whereupon  she  turned  her  face  on  to 
his  shoulder  and  burst  into  tears. 

And  Hahmed,  being  wise,  let  her  cry  until  there  were 
no  more  tears,  only  little  sobs  which  tore  at  his  heart, 
which  lightened  considerably  when  having  mopped  her 
eyes  with  the  edge  of  his  cloak,  she  twisted  herself  into 
a  sitting  position,  and  smiled  as  she  laid  her  golden 


DESERT  LOVE  231 

head  against  his  dark  one,  and  entwined  her  slim 
fingers  in  his. 

And  Hahmed  smiled  also,  knowing  that  this  was  the 
preliminary  to  some  request  of  which  his  wife  had 
doubts  as  to  the  granting,  hut  never  a  word  did  he 
utter,  nor  made  sign  to  help,  whilst  Jill,  somewhat  at 
a  loss,  lit  a  cigarette,  and  proceeded  to  blow  rings 
which  on  account  of  the  breeze  refused  to  pass  one 
through  the  other. 

"  Hahmed !  "  she  managed  at  last  and  stopped,  and 
then  continued  as  she  got  up  and  moved  away: 
"  Hahmed !  I'm  feeling  absolutely  miserable.  I  think 
I  want  a  change  —  I  really  do  want  all  I  said  just  now, 
so  —  so  can't  we  go  to  Cairo  and  stay  at  an  English 
hotel  for  the  New  Year  ?  We  could  just  do  it  if  we 
started  at  once  —  couldn't  we  ?  I  know  you  have  im- 
portant business  or  something  next  month  —  can't  you 
put  it  off  ?  " 

Hahmed  looked  at  her  for  a  moment,  as  she  stood 
very  fair  and  straight,  with  her  beautiful  feet  peeping 
from  under  her  trailing  gown;  and  frowned  a  little, 
noticing  the  shadows  round  the  big  eyes,  and  the  sus- 
picion of  a  collar-bone  showing  above  the  embroidery 
of  her  bodice. 

"  And  why  didst  thou  hesitate,  little  one,  to  ask  — 
knowing  as  thou  dost  that  thy  wish  is  law  absolute 
to  me?  Business  affairs,  what  are  they?  Let  them 
•wait  —  let  the  world  wait  as  long  as  thou  art  happy. 
Verily  thou  art  pale  and  thin "  Upon  which  un- 
fortunate remark  Jill  turned  like  the  spitfire  she  had 
lately  become. 

"  Seeing  that  you  are  allowed  four  wives,  Hahmed, 


232  DESERT  LOVE 

there  is  no  reason  to  bemoan  your  fate;  this  is  not 
Europe,  where  once  married  you  are  for  ever  tied  to 
the  one  girl,  who,  a  bud  in  her  youth,  may  as  time 
passes  turn  to  one  of  those  dreadful  cabbage-roses, 
which  go  purple  and  fat  with  age.  I'm  sorry,"  she 
continued,  as  she  held  out  both  her  hands,  "  you  simply 
must  not  notice  me  these  days.  I  think  I  am  be- 
witched —  I  have  even  sent  my  darling  old  Ameena 
away  because  her  deformity  suddenly  irritated  me,  and 
I  told  Mustapha  I  would  have  him  thrown  as  break- 
fast to  the  cheetahs  if  he  dared  to  make  himself  seen, 
and  he  believed  it,  and  no  shampoo  will  ever  get  the 
sand  out  of  his  hair." 

"  But  he  shall  be  thrown  to  the  cheetahs  if  it  would 
please  thee,  beloved !  " 

And  the  uncalculating  cruelty  in  the  man's  voice  sent 
the  red  to  the  girl's  white  face,  and  moving  over  to 
him  made  her  lean  down  and  kiss  him  upon  the  mouth. 

And  then  she  seated  herself  upon  the  ground  and 
made  tea,  laughing  like  a  child  when  to  please  her  the 
Arab  drank  it  protestingly. 

"  By  Allah !  it  is  a  poison  which  you  drink  in  Europe, 
and  yet  you  would  go  and  drink  it  in  a  crowded  city." 

"  Are  we  going,  Hahmed,  oh  Hahmed,  are  we  ? " 
whispered  Jill,  half  afraid  to  break  the  spell  by  the 
raising  of  her  voice. 

"  But  of  course,  beloved  —  hast  thou  not  expressed 
the  wish  —  though  surely  it  were  better  to  go  to  thine 
own  dwelling,  for  it  will  go  hard  with  thee  to  keep 
thy  face  covered  and  remain  undiscovered  to  thy  many 
friends,  who  doubtless  will  be  seeking  the  solace  of 
Egypt's  winter  sun;  for  the  time  is  not  yet  at  hand 


DESERT  LOVE  233 

when  I  will  permit  thee  to  make  thyself  known  to 
them." 

But  Jill  was  ready  to  accept  anything  as  long  as  her 
craving  could  be  satisfied,  and  Hahmed,  longing  to 
satisfy  her  craving,  looked  with  eyes  of  love  upon  the 
sweetness  of  her  face  aglow  with  anticipation,  so  that 
both  were  well  content. 

And  an  hour  passed  in  which  they  ate  and  drank, 
and  Jill  balanced  pieces  of  sweet  bread  upon  the  noses 
of  two  great  hounds,  who,  scenting  their  master  from 
afar,  had  broken  bounds  and  raced  to  him,  leaping 
the  breakfast  table  to  Jill's  infinite  delight,  whilst  their 
groom  lay  upon  the  ground  out  of  sight  anticipating 
the  thrashing  his  carelessness  merited  him,  but  from 
which  he  was  spared  by  reason  of  his  mistress'  sweet- 
ness. 

"  And  so,  Light  of  Heaven,  I  must  leave  thee,  for 
there  is  much  to  prepare  if  we  would  start  at  once,  for 
it  is  difficult  to  secure  the  strict  privacy  due  to  my  wife 
in  these  times  when  the  world  is  overrun  by  the  tourist 
ants  who  should  by  right  be  underground. 

"  And  my  heart  inclineth  to  hours  spent  with  thee, 
O !  Flower  of  the  Desert,  hours  spent  at  thy  feet  in 
the  heat  of  the  day  whilst  thou  slumberest,  hours  upon 
the  roof  of  thy  dwelling,  watching  the  day  prepare 
herself  for  the  coming  of  her  lover,  the  night;  and 
yet  must  I  leave  thee  when  my  being  is  overwhelmed 
with  love  of  thee,  thou  wind  of  caprice!  Would  that 
I  could  tell  the  meaning  of  my  gentleness  towards 
thee,  I,  Hahmed,  who,  like  a  love-sick  youth,  sleeps 
the  night  without  the  silken  curtain  of  thy  door  and 
dare  not  enter  in  unto  thee." 


234  DESERT  LOVE 

And  his  hands  suddenly  gripped  the  girl  by-  her 
shoulders  and  pulled  her  towards  him,  at  which  rough- 
ness she  smiled,  as  women  do  when  so  treated,  and 
rested  her  sweet-scented  head  above  his  heart. 

"  Ah,  Hahmed !  Who  knows  if  thou  are  not  over 
timorous  even  for  a  love-sick  youth,"  she  sighed. 
"  And  must  thou  go  when  my  heart  inclineth  to  hours 
spent  with  thee?  And  yet  at  night  the  stars  come  out 
so  'tis  said,  and  can  be  seen  from  the  roof  of  my  dwell- 
ing; and  when  the  wind  sweeps  over  chill  across  the 
sands  the  fire  throws  shadows  in  my  room  of  roses, 
where  the  love  bird  with  little  wings  hovers  above  my 
couch  suspended  by  a  little  silken  cord." 

And  the  man  bent  her  back  towards  him  so  that  the 
ribbon  of  her  bodice  snapped  and  the  beauty  of  her 
lay  under  his  hands,  and  she  stretched  both  arms  out- 
wards and  whispered  so  that  only  he  could  hear,  "  Kiss 
me,  Hahmed,  oh  my  heart's  desire!  Kiss  me,  for  I 
am  faint  with  love  of  thee." 

And  even  as  he  bent  downwards  to  her  she  fell  un- 
conscious at  his  feet,  whereupon  he  raised  her  in  his 
arms  and  looked  into  the  white  face,  speaking  so  that 
only  she  might  hear. 

"  And  the  love  bird  shall  fly  down  to  thy  couch  this 
night,  Delight  of  my  Heart,  and  the  shadows  upon  thy 
sweet  face  shall  deepen  ere  the  dawn,"  and  he  kissed 
the  closed  eyes  and  the  red  mouth  and  the  white  throat 
and  the  shadow  of  a  collar-bone  which  showed  above 
the  roundness  of  her  breasts,  and  then  he  laid  her 
upon  the  cushions  on  the  ground,  and,  clapping  his 
hands,  gave  her  into  the  care  of  her  handmaidens. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

AN  hour  and  more  had  passed  before  Jack  Wether-* 
bourne  suddenly  awoke,  and  stretching  his  arms  above 
his  head  apostrophised  the  full  moon  shining  down 
upon  the  Great  Pyramid  in  the  shadows  of  which  he 
was  sitting. 

"  What  the  dickens  Lady  Moon  brought  me  to  this 
place  of  all  places  to-night,"  he  said  lazily,  as  he  struck 
a  match  and  lit  a  cigarette.  "  Let's  hope  my  ship  of 
the  desert  hasn't  upstreamed  for  Cairo  all  on  her  own, 
else  I  see  myself  here  until  the  advent  of  the  next 
Cook's  party.  Decent  of  the  camel  wallah  to  let  me 
take  the  apple  of  his  commercial  eye  into  the  desert 
unaccompanied."  He  stretched  and  settled  himself 
more  comfortably,  continuing  to  talk  aloud.  "  What 
a  night  —  what  a  country  —  wish  I'd  brought  Mary 
with  me  —  ideal  spot  for  a  heart-to-heart  talk.  I  might 
have  shaken  her  out  of  her  e  eyedyfix,'  as  old  Gruntham 
calls  it.  Silly  idea  that  she  won't  get  married  until 
Jill  has  been  found  —  why!  what!  who  in  heaven's 
name  are  coming  down  the  pyramid  ?  Well,  I'm 
blessed!  two  native  wallahs  been  breaking  the  rules, 
and  I  had  no  idea  they  were  perched  up  there  above 
my  head." 

Safe  in  the  protecting  shadows  he  watched  Hahmed 
and  Jill  descend. 

Little  ripples  of  laughter  fell  on  the  night  air  as 
Hahmed,  letting  himself  down  easily  from  one  gigantic 
block  to  another,  held  out  his  arms  and  lifted  Jill 

235 


236  DESERT  LOVE 

down,  bending  his  head  to  kiss  her  each  time  he  put 
her  on  her  feet. 

They  were  at  the  last  step  but  one  when,  with  a  little 
scream,  she  swayed,  and  nearly  fell  to  the  step  be- 
neath. 

"  Hold  me,  Hahmed,"  she  cried,  "  I'm  dizzy,  every- 
thing is  going  round !  " 

And  Hahmed  caught  her  and  lifted  her  gently  down 
the  last  steps  to  the  sand,  bending  to  kiss  her  on  the 
toouth,  and  shifting  her  suddenly  to  his  left  arm  so  as 
to  catch  Jack  Wetherbourne  by  the  throat  as  he  dashed 
shouting  from  the  shadows  upon  them. 

"  Jill !     Jill !     It's  I  —  Jack !  don't  let  - 

Until  the  grip  tightening  choked  back  his  words, 
when  with  a  surprising  swiftness  the  Arab  let  go  his 
hold,  and  getting  one  in  on  the  point,  sent  the  English- 
man reeling  backwards  to  fall  in  a  heap  against  the 
base  of  the  pyramid,  and  then  to  scramble  to  his  feet, 
too  dizzy  to  stop  his  adversary,  who,  flinging  the  veil 
over  the  woman's  face,  passed  swiftly  to  the  place  where 
awaited  the  camels. 

And  too  slow  was  Jack  Wetherbourne  to  gain  the 
spot  in  time  to  stop  the  flight  of  the  camel  which  with 
its  double  burden  was  already  racing  straight  ahead 
into  the  desert ;  and  too  bemused  by  the  blow  to  recog- 
nise the  fact  when  he  did  get  there  that  the  hired  brute 
he  was  staggering  too  was  built  for  speed  in  the  image 
of  the  tortoise  compared  to  the  hare-like-for-swiftness 
contour  of  the  abandoned  beauty  who  had  strolled  to 
the  spot  from  the  other  side  of  the  pyramid,  and  quite 
undisturbed  was  watching  her  sister's  hurried  departure 
into  the  unknown. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

ALL  our  lives  we  all  chase  wraiths  in  the  moonshine! 
Be  the  wraiths  the  outcome  of  proximity  in  the  garden 
under  the  silvery  moon  rays,  which  so  often  snap  the 
trap  about  our  unwary  feet  by  rounding  off  the  phys- 
ical angles  of  our  momentary  heart's  desires,  or  lend- 
ing point  to  the  stub  ends  of  their  undeveloped  mental- 
ity; or  the  wraiths  of  the  midnight  soul,  otherwise  dig- 
arranged  nervous  or  digested  system,  which  float,  in- 
vitingly, distractingly,  tantalisingly  in  front  of  our 
clogged-by-sleep  vision  at  night ;  turning  out,  however, 
in  the  early  light  heralding  the  early  cup  of  tea,  to  be 
nothing  more  soul  distracting  than  the  good  old  brass 
knob  adorning  the  end  of  the  bedstead. 

But  Jack  Wetherbourne's  wraiths,  which  he  was  chas- 
ing in  the  moonlight,  were  good  honest  humans  with  the 
requisite  number  of  legs  and  arms  wrapped  in  good 
white  raiment ;  one  of  which  humans  with  the  other  in 
his  arms  sat  astride  a  camel,  who  made  up  by  her 
muscular  development  whatever  she  might  lack  in  good- 
ness of  heart  and  honesty  of  purpose;  she  too  being 
wrapped  in  the  silvery  drapery  which  the  moon  throws 
pell-mell  around  pyramid  and  mud  hut,  humble  fellah, 
descendant  maybe  of  some  long  dead  Pharaoh,  and  the 
jocular,  jubilant  millionaire,  who  with  luck  can  trace  a 
grandfather. 

But  chase  he  ever  so  eagerly,  Jack  Wetherbourne 

237 


238  DESEKT  LOVE 

could  barely  keep  his  quarry  in  sight  as  on  and  on  sped 
the  racing  camel  with  that  curious  slithering  gait  which 
denotes  great  speed,  whilst  the  wind  caught  at  Jill's 
veil,  blowing  it  this  way  and  that  until  she  impatiently 
tore  it  from  before  her  face,  and  struggling  against  the 
arm  which  held  her  like  a  vice,  managed  to  screw  her 
self  round  to  look  behind,  whereupon  the  Arab  jerked 
her  suddenly  back,  looking  down  into  her  white  face 
with  eyes  ablaze  with  jealousy. 

"  Hast  thou  no  circumspection,  O !  wife  of  mine  ?  " 
he  cried,  the  wind  carrying  the  words  from  his  lips 
almost  before  they  were  uttered.  "  Mine,  all  mine 
thou  art,  and  yet  thou  strivest  to  look  upon  the  coun- 
tenance of  that  madman  who  would  have  outraged  my 
honour  by  looking  upon  thy  face !  " 

"  Oh,  but  Hahmed !  you  don't  understand  —  that  was 
Jack  Wetherbourne,  my  neighbour  and  brother  and 
friend,  and  do  for  pity's  sake  make  the  camel  go  slower, 
I  am  being  bumped  to  bits !  " 

Which  of  all  foolish  utterances  was  the  most  foolish 
she  could  have  uttered,  fanning  the  man's  jealousy  to 
a  pitch  where  it  burned  right  through  the  barrier  of 
self-restraint,  making  him  desire  to  stop  her  foolish 
words  with  kisses,  and  long  to  strangle  her  as  she  lay 
in  his  arms,  and  cast  her  on  to  the  sands  for  the  vul- 
tures to  pick  at. 

"  Thy  friend  and  brother !  How  could  any  man  un- 
born of  thy  parents  be  anything  but  the  would-be  lover 
and  husband  of  thy  beautiful  self!  Verily,  woman, 
could  I  beat  thee  for  such  words  until  thy  shoulders 
ran  blood.  I  know  of  him  and  his  foolish  futile  search- 
ings  for  thee,  yet  it  is  /  who  hold  thee,  and  in  very 


DESERT  LOVE  23S 

truth  can  call  thee  wife ;  nor  will  I  stay  this  my  camel 
so  that  thou  mayest  have  speech  with  him;  this  pale 
faced  yearling,  who  dared  to  look  upon  thy  shadow; 
but  by  the  grace  of  Allah,  I  will  so  bewilder  him  who 
blundereth  after  thee  astride  the  product  of  the  bazaar, 
that  his  sightless  skull  shall  stare  blindly  at  the  moon 
to-morrow  night,  whilst  I  shall  feast  my  eyes  upon  the 
whiteness  of  thy  satin  skin." 

And  Jill  lay  still,  knowing  that  she  was  up  against 
something  with  which  she  could  not  cope,  noticing  not 
at  all  that  the  camel  began  a  wide  circle  to  the  left, 
therefore  being  excessively  surprised  when  an  hour  be- 
fore the  dawn,  upon  the  very  outskirts  of  Cairo  itself, 
the  man  caused  his  camel  to  kneel,  and  placing  the 
girl  like  a  bundle  of  hay  upon  the  ground,  turned  to- 
wards Mecca;  and  the  time  of  prayer  being  passed, 
came  to  her  suddenly  and  held  her  to  him,  raining 
kisses  upon  the  fairness  of  her  face,  shining  pale  and 
shadowed  in  the  light  of  the  coming  day. 


CHAPTER  XL 

You  have  only  to  stare  long  enough  at  it  to  get  the 
image  of  some  distinct  object  imprinted  upon  your 
retina,  then  you  need  but  stare  again  at  some  space  of 
indistinct  colouring  and  you  will  see  the  impression  of 
your  distinct  object  reprinted  a  hundred  times  upside 
down. 

Who  has  not  tried  the  experiment  in  their  youth 
with  the  aid  of  the  ceiling  and  red-lettered  advertise- 
ment of  chocolate  or  soap,  and  later  in  years  up- 
braided the  reflected  blobs  of  sun  which  usually  choose 
a  critical  moment  in  which  to  obscure  your  vision  when 
you  have  turned  your  back  upon  the  sunset. 

Jack  Wetherbourne  distinctly  saw  the  fleeing  camel 
in  front  of  him,  when  he  at  last  got  his  own  to  its 
feet,  and  being  eager  to  keep  his  quarry  well  within 
his  vision,  continued  to  stare  and  strain  his  eyes,  whilst 
he  raced  for  hour  after  hour  over  mile  after  mile  of 
sand,  until  in  the  end  he  saw  the  fleeing  camel  ahead 
of  him  when  in  reality  it  was  well  on  its  way  back  to 
Cairo ;  and  continued,  with  eyes  staring  out  of  a  white, 
dust-covered  face,  to  pursue  the  phantom  until  the  first 
ray  of  the  sun  hitting  him  fiercely,  caused  him  to  cover 
his  eyes  a  while,  and  after,  to  look  about  him  with  re- 
freshed sight,  which  showed  him  in  the  midst  of  the 
desert,  alone,  with  a  cloud  of  sand  rising  before  the 
wind  some  miles  behind  him  —  an  infant  sandstorm, 
but  strong  enough  to  hide  the  distant  peaks  of  the  pyra- 

240 


DESERT  LOVE  241 

mids  from  him,  and  to  send  his  terrified,  idiotic  camel 
fleeing  straight  ahead  through  hours  of  increasing  heat, 
without  a  drop  of  water  upon  its  foolish  back  or  in  its 
master's  pocket  flask,  until  with  a  sudden  silly  chuckle 
the  man  jerked  the  reins  and  tumbled  headlong  from 
the  saddle,  laughing  stupidly  with  sudden  sunstroke. 


CHAPTEE  XLI 

THE  midday  sun  of  the  same  day  blazed  down  upon 
a  picture  which  for  ghastliness  surpassed  even  the 
horrors  painted  by  the  madman  Werth,  which,  if  your 
mind  is  steeped  in  morbidness,  you  can  see  for  a  franc, 
or  for  nothing,  I  really  forget  which,  when  next  you 
visit  Brussels. 

Upon  a  hillock  of  sand,  the  summit  of  which  con- 
tinually trickled  to  the  base  in  fine  golden  streams,  a 
little  mound  built  with  the  aid  of  a  pair  of  pumps,  sat 
Jack  Wetherbourne,  laughing  sickeningly,  just  as  he 
had  sat  since  the  moment  he  had  waved  a  delirious 
adieu  to  the  quickly  disappearing  camel.  His  dress 
coat,  trousers,  white  waistcoat,  shirt,  undergarments, 
socks  and  shoes,  lay  upon  the  sand  arranged  by  the 
disordered  mind  in  the  fantastic  design  of  a  scare- 
crow. 

As  I  have  said,  the  man  himself,  naked  save  for  a 
vest  twisted  round  his  waist,  sat  upon  the  mound  ges- 
ticulating violently,  whilst  keeping  up  a  one-sided,  un- 
answered conversation  with  the  figure  on  the  sand. 
His  bronzed  face,  burnt  almost  black  even  in  the  few 
hours  of  sun  beating  down  upon  his  unshaded  head, 
turned  restlessly  to  the  right  and  left ;  his  long  fingers 
plucked  without  ceasing  at  the  great  blisters  which  the 
heat  drew  up  upon  his  body,  bursting  them,  so  that 
the  fluid  mingled  with  the  sand  blown  upon  him  b(t  the 

242 


DESERT  LOVE  240 

light  wind,  and  upon  which  flies,  thousands  of  them, 
settled,  to  buzz  away  when  he  rose  to  run  this  way  and 
that  in  an  effort  to  stay  the  awful  irritation. 

Two  o'clock  by  the  clocks  in  Cairo,  the  hour  when 
workers  and  idlers,  rich  and  poor,  seek  the  coolest 
spot  in  their  vicinity  in  which  to  lay  them  down  and 
sleep  a  while  —  the  hour  when  Mary  Bingham  drove 
up  to  Shepherds,  having  raced  here,  there,  and  every- 
where during  the  morning  in  a  vain  endeavour  to 
awaken  a  little  interest  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
listened,  arid  shrugged,  and  looked  at  each  other  sig- 
nificantly, at  the  tale  of  a  man  who  had  got  lost  in 
Cairo  for  a  night  and  a  morning  —  a  tale  told  agitat- 
edly by  a  charming  woman  who  could  give  no  reason 
for  her  agitation. 

Also  she  had  tried  desperately  hard,  with  the  aid  of 
the  hotel  porter,  to  make  head  or  tail  out  of  the  narra- 
tive as  recounted  by  the  hirer  of  camels  —  a  woebegone 
tale  in  which  the  undercurrent  was  a  dismal  foreboding 
as  to  the  fate  of  the  priceless  quadruped;  the  fate  of 
an  Englishman  seemingly  being  of  small  account  when 
compared  to  that  of  the  snarling,  unpleasant  brute  who 
represented  the  native's  entire  fortune  —  at  least  so  he 
said.  "  Yes,  the  nobleman  had  hired  the  camel  as  he 
so  often  did,  and  being  acquainted  with  the  ways  of  the 
animal  had  gone  alone  as  he  always  did.  No !  upon 
the  beard  of  his  grandfather  he  had  no  idea  in  which 
direction  he  had  gone,  though  verily  upon  the  out- 
skirts of  Cairo  there  had  been  a  festival  in  which  La 
Belle,  the  well-known  dancer,  was  to  dance  —  who 

knows '  And  the  Hon.  Mary  had  flung  out  of  the 

place  in  disgust,  knowing  with  a  woman's  intuition. 


244  DESERT  LOVE 

sharpened  love,  in  comparison  with  which  a  Tcukri 
is  blunt,  that  no  such  place  hid  the  man  she  had  been 
searching  for  so  desperately  ever  since  she  had  sud- 
denly wakened  and  sprung  out  of  her  bed  the  night 
before,  for  no  reason  whatever,  and,  having  rung  up 
Shepherds  and  ascertained  the  fact  that  Sir  John 
Wetherbourne  was  not  in  the  hotel,  had  paced  her 
room  until  she  could  with  reason  arouse  her  maid, 
and,  having  bathed  and  breakfasted,  had  started  out 
on  the  seemingly  mad  pursuit  of  someone  who  had 
failed  to  return  to  his  habitat  during  the  night  —  and 
in  Cairo  too! 

Is  it  surprising  that  men  winked  secretly  at  one  an- 
other, and  that  their  wives,  sharers  of  their  joys  and 
sorrows,  scandal  and  gossip  inclusive,  jingled  their 
bracelets  and  pursed  their  lips,  and  did  all  those  things 
which  jealous  women  —  not  necessarily  love  jealous  — 
are  feign  to  do  when  the  object  responsible  for  the  con- 
ception of  the  green-eyed  monster  within  their  being 
is  bent  on  making  a  fool  of  herself  ? 

"  Come  now,  dearie,"  mumbled  Lady  Sarah  Grunt- 
ham,  who  insisted  on  keeping  Lancashire  meal  hours 
to  the  consternation  of  the  hotel  staff,  native  and  other- 
wise, as  she  mopped  her  heated  brow  with  her  hand- 
kerchief and  with  the  other  hand  patted  the  dark  head 
leaning  wearily  upon  the  row  of  scarab  buttons  adorn- 
ing her  tussore  front,  from  which  she  had  forgotten 
to  remove  her  finger  napkin  when  the  girl  had  entered. 
"  Come  now  —  come  now.  Don't  'ee  take  on  an'  fret 
so.  The  lad'll  coom  back  to  ye,  never  ye  fear  now. 
Well  I  remember  when  yon  Tim  of  mine  was  down 
t'  mine  in  t'  big  explosion  —  I  took  on  just  as  ye  are 


DESERT  LOVE  245 

takin'  on,  love,  but  down  in  me  heart,  lass,  I  never 
really  feared  me,  because  I  knew  that  me  love  for  me 
lad  was  that  great,  lass,  that  I'd  pull  him  out  of 
danger — .and  sure  and  I  did,  lass,  black  as  a  sweep 
and  with  a  broken  arm,  but  alive,  and  a  champion  tea 
of  shrimps  and  cress  we  had,  jest  as  ye'll  have  with 
yer  lad  when  he  comes  back,  lass !  " 

Which  motherly  comfort  served  to  lighten  the  heavy 
heart,  but  brought  not  the  faintest  shadow  of  a  smile  to 
the  steadfast  eyes.  For  even  the  vision  of  watercress, 
shrimps  and  tea  on  the  verandah  at  Shepherds  will  not 
force  a  light  to  the  windows  of  the  soul  when  they 
are  blinded  with  anxiety. 

So  Mary  Bingham,  in  her  cool  white  dress,  lay  back 
in  the  long  chair,  with  a  glass  of  iced  lemonade  on  a 
table  by  her  side  in  a  room  darkened  so  as  tc  induce 
slumber,  whilst  out  in  the  desert  with  choked  f^ies  of 
"  Good  dog !  At  it !  Good  dog ! "  a  man  began 
scratching  the  sand  as  a  ratting  terrier  does  the  <?arth, 
until  he  had  excavated  a  hole  big  enough  in  whi^h  to 
curl  himself,  where  he  lay  until  desert  things  that 
creep  and  crawl  drove  him  out  again,  shrieking  »*«v 
water. 


Aim  the  full  force  of  the  storm  crashed  about  Jill's 
defenceless  head  at  the  midday  hour  also  of  the  same 
day,  when  she  ought  to  have  been  searching  the  cool- 
ness of  her  midday  sleeping  chamber,  and  forgetfulness 
of  the  last  few  hours  in  sleep. 

Not  quite  defenceless  was  she,  however,  as  she  sat 
back  in  the  chair,  her  eyes  ablaze  and  her  veil  torn  to 
shreds  at  her  feet,  ripping  the  moral  atmosphere  with 
words  which  seemed  to  have  been  dipped  in  some  cor- 
rosive verbal  fluid.  She  was  angry,  hurt,  and  deathly 
tired,  and  was  doing  her  best  to  pass  some  of  her  men- 
tal suffering  anyway  on  to  the  man  who  leant  with 
folded  arms  against  the  cedar  wall. 

The  inevitable  crisis  had  come! 

The  independence  of  Western  womanhood  had 
clashed  with  the  Eastern  ideas  on  the  privacy  and  se- 
clusion of  the  gentler  sex.  Jill  simply  could  not  un- 
derstand that  there  was  any  cause  for  the  terrible 
jealousy  which  had  suddenly  blazed  up  in  the  Arab 
when  she  had  innocently  repeated  her  request  to  be 
allowed  to  see  her  old  friend;  Hahmed  was  as  in- 
capable of  understanding  the  request,  having  failed  in 
his  sojourn  in  the  West  to  fully  realise  the  everyday 
kind  of  jolly,  good,  frank  camaraderie  which  can  exist 
between  certain  types  of  English  man  and  woman. 

Half  a  word  of  tenderness,  half  a  gesture  of  love, 

246 


DESERT  LOVE  247 

and  she  would  have  been  sobbing  or  laughing  happily 
in  his  arms,  but  like  a  prairie  fire  before  the  wind,  the 
terrible  Eastern  rage  was  blazing  through  the  man,  too 
fierce,  too  terrific  to  allow  him  to  analyse  the  situation, 
or  remember  that  the  upbringing  of  his  girl-wife  had 
been  totally  different  to  that  of  the  women  of  his  coun- 
try. 

Jill  suddenly  sat  forward,  clasping  one  slim  ankle 
across  her  knee  in  a  slim  hand,  a  position  she  knew 
perfectly  well  would  rouse  Hahmed  to  a  frenzy,  and 
spoke  slowly  and  mockingly  in  English  instead  of  the 
pretty  lisping  Arabic  which  always  entranced  him. 

"  You  may  lecture,  and  remonstrate,  and  admonish, 
which  all  comes  to  the  same  thing,  until  night  falls, 
but  you  will  never  make  me  see  eye  to  eye  with  you  in 
this.  It  is  simply  absurd  to  threaten  that  you  will 
shut  me  in  my  apartments  until  I  learn  reason.  If 
you  lock  me  in,  or  place  guards  about  me,  I  will  jump 
from  the  roof  and  gain  my  freedom  by  breaking  my 
neck.  Why  Jack  Wetherbourne  —  oh ' 

Hahmed  had  leant  forward,  and  gripping  her  by  the 
shoulders  had  very  suddenly,  and  not  over  gently, 
jerked  her  to  her  feet,  holding  her  by  the  strength  of 
his  hands  alone,  as  she  desperately  tried  to  liberate  her- 
self. 

"Let  me  go,  Hahmed!  let  me  go!  You  are  hurt- 
ing me  dreadfully.  You  must  not  hurt  me  —  you  must 
not  bruise  me.  Oh !  you  don't  understand !  " 

She  struggled  furiously  and  unavailingly,  resorting 
at  last  to  cruelty  to  gain  her  end. 

"  Let  me  go,  Hahmed !  Take  your  hands  away  —  I 
—  I  hate  to  feel  them  upon  me  !  " 


248  DESERT  LOVE 

He  let  her  go,  pushing  her  away  from  him  ever  so 
slightly,  so  that  she  stumbled  against  the  chair,  crack- 
ing her  ankle-bone,  that  tenderest  bit  of  anatomical 
scaffolding,  against  a  projecting  piece  of  ornamental 
wood. 

It  was  a  case  of  injury  added  to  insult,  and  she 
crouched  back  furious  in  her  physical  hurt  as  she  tore 
the  silken  covering  from  her  arms,  where  already 
showed  faint  bruises  above  the  little  tatfoo  mark  show- 
ing itself  so  black  against  the  white  skin,  and  upon 
which  she  put  her  finger. 

"  Oh !  who  would  have  thought  when  you  tattooed 
that,  Jack 1  " 

But  she  stood  her  ground  and  shrugged  her  naked 
shoulders  irritatingly  when  Hahmed  crossed  the  di- 
viding space  in  a  bound  with  his  hand  upon  the  hilt  of 
his  dagger. 

"  Bi  —  smi  —  llah !  what  sayest  thou  ?  This  mark 
upon  the  fairness  of  thy  arm  which  I  have  thought  a 
blemish,  and  therefore  have  not  questioned  thee  there- 
on —  sayest  thou  it  is  a  ddklch,  what  thou  callest  a 
tattoo  mark?  And  if  so  what  has  it  to  do  with  the 
man  whose  name  is  unceasingly  upon  thy  lips  ?  " 

Jill  stood  like  a  statue  of  disdain. 

"  What  is  the  matter  now,  Hahmed  ?  Please  under- 
stand that  I  will  not  tolerate  such  continual  fault-find- 
ing any  longer!  That  is  a  tattoo  mark  of  a  pail  of 
water  —  you  may  not  know  that  we  have  a  rhyme  in 
England  which  begins  like  this : 

"  Jack  and  Jill  went  up  a  hill 
To  fetch  a  pail  of  water!  " 

Oh!  shades  of  ancient  Egypt,  did  you  ever  hear  or 


DESERT  LOVE  249 

see  anything  so  pathetically  absurd  as  Jill  as  she  sol- 
emnly repeated  the  old  doggerel. 

"  That  makes  no  difference  —  a  pail  of  water  or  the 
outline  of  a  flower  —  did  this  man  —  this  —  this  Jack 
make  the  mark  upon  thee  ?  " 

Jill  hesitated  for  a  second  and  then  answered  with 
a  glint  in  her  eye. 

"  Yes !  he  did  —  and  he  did  Mary  too  —  put  the 
dinkiest  little  heart  on  her  arm  —  we  were  under  the 
cherry  tree  in  the  vegetable !  " 

"  Go !  "  suddenly  thundered  the  Arab. 

And  Jill,  gathering  her  raiment  about  her  for  de- 
parture, turned  to  look  straight  into  the  man's  eyes, 
whilst  her  heart,  in  spite  of  the  little  scornful  smile 
which  twisted  the  corner  of  her  mouth,  leapt  with  the 
love  which  had  blossomed  a  hundredfold  under  the  tor- 
rent of  jealousy,  wrath,  and  mastery  which  he  had 
poured  forth  upon  her  during  the  last  hour. 

"  Behold !  art  thou  weak,"  she  said  sweetly  in  his 
own  tongue,  "  having  not  the  strength  to  kill  that  which 
offends  thee.  '  Thou  shalt  not  know  this  man,  or  any 
other  man,'  "  she  mocked,  quoting  his  words,  "  and  yet 
canst  thou  not  break  me  to  thy  will!  Of  a  truth,  I 
have  no  further  use  for  thee  in  thy  weakness !  " 

But  Hahmed's  control  had  only  been  slightly  cracked, 
so  that  he  merely  pointed  to  the  curtain  which  divided 
Jill's  quarters  from  the  rest  of  the  house. 

"  Go ! "  he  said  simply,  "  go  to  thy  apartment, 
wherein  thou  shalt  stay  until  thou  seest  good  to  come 
to  me  in  obedience  and  love.  Thou  shalt  not  go  forth 
except  to  the  gardens;  neither  shall  thy  friends  visit 
thee,  neither  shalt  thou  climb  to  the  roof;  and  thou 


250  DESERT  LOVE 

shalt  obey  me  —  many,  aye,  many  a  woman  were  dead 
for  far  less  than  this  thy  disobedience  —  but  thou  — 
thou  art  too  beautiful  to  kill,  except  with  love  —  go !  " 

And  Jill  went,  with  beautiful  head  held  high,  heart 
throbbing  from  love,  and  blood  pounding  in  her  ears 
from  downright  rage. 

"  I  will  not  obey  you !  I  shall  do  exactly  as  I 
wish !  "  she  proclaimed,  with  the  curtain  in  her  hand. 
In  which  she  was  mistaken,  for  the  simple  fact  that 
love  held  her  fast. 

And  the  curtain  swinging  to  hide  her  from  the  Arab, 
as  she  stood  for  one  moment  holding  out  her  arms  to- 
ward him ;  and  for  the  same  reason  she  did  not  see 
him  pick  up  her  torn,  scented  veil,  to  thrust  it  between 
hA?  inner  silken  vest  and  his  sorely  perturbed  heart. 


CHAPTEK  XLIII 

NIGHT  with  her  blessed  wind  had  come  at  last,  which 
means  coolness  for  a  space  beneath  the  stars,  and 
oblivion  for  a  while  in  sleep  for  those  who  have  un- 
troubled heart  and  good  digestion.  There  was  just 
one  black  patch  in  all  that  silvery  stretch  of  sand,  upon 
which  the  moon  shone,  a  patch  that  came  neither  from, 
rock  or  tree  or  cloud,  and  which  moved  occasionally 
in  fitful  jerks,  until  it  raised  itself  and  collapsed  again, 
and  spread  itself  in  a  still  stranger  shape  as  from  under- 
neath garments  which  had  the  form  of  arms  and  legs 
and  disjointed  feet  which  fell  apart,  there  crawled  a 
man. 

A  man,  though  the  face  was  cracked  in  great  seams 
from  brow  to  chin,  whilst  the  black  tongue  protruded 
from  the  split  mouth  drawn  back  from  the  even  teeth 
until  the  great  bloated  face  seemed  to  laugh  in  derision 
at  the  moon's  softness. 

The  body,  covered  in  a  mass  of  sores  coated  with 
gand,  raised  itself  to  the  knees,  whilst  the  hands  tried 
painfully  to  scoop  up  the  silver  moonbeams  and  raise 
them  to  the  mouth.  There  was  no  sound  in  all  that 
deathly  plain,  which  Allah  knows  is  accustomed  to  such 
scenes,  and  when  the  body  had  fallen  forward  once 
more  upon  the  sand,  so  that  the  open  mouth  was  filled 
with  grit,  neither  was  there  movement,  until  upon  the 
pale  light  of  dawn  a  silent  shape,  and  yet  another,  and 

251 


252  DESERT  LOVE 

still  another  one,  sailed  serenely  across  the  sky,  and 
with  a  faint  rustle  of  folding  wings  settled  down  around 
the  heap ;  to  soar  noiselessly  skyward  when  it  suddenly 
twitched  convulsively ;  to  settle  again  with  faint  rustling 
when  all  once  more  was  still. 

"  Verily,  O !  brother,  I  am  led  towards  that  spot 
upon  which  the  birds  of  death  have  come  together." 

So  said  the  Egyptian  who  was  partner  in  the  small 
caravan  proceeding  leisurely  towards  Cairo,  as  he 
shaded  his  eyes  and  pointed  first  up  to  the  ever  lighten- 
ing sky,  across  which  from  all  parts  floated  small  black 
dots,  and  then  to  a  distant  place  upon  the  sand,  where 
the  black  spots  seemed  to  mingle  until  they  formed  a 
blot  of  shade. 

"  Nay !  Raise  not  thy  voice  in  dissent,  O !  my 
brother,  for  behold  we  have  made  good  time,  and  water 
faileth  us  not." 

And  well  was  it  that  they  turned  aside,  and  shouted 
as  they  approached  so  that  only  one  beak  had  time  to 
tear  a  strip  of  flesh  from  beneath  the  naked  shoulder, 
ere  the  flock  of  vultures  rose,  hovered  a  second,  and 
were  gone.  The  two  men  drew  near,  and  having  dis- 
mounted, turned  the  poor  thing  over,  and  feeling  the 
faint  beating  of  the  heart,  with  no  more  ado  than  if 
they  were  setting  down  to  food,  undid  one  of  the 
goatskins  from  the  nearest  camel,  and  soaking  the 
flowing  bernous  until  it  dripped  with  the  precious 
water,  wrapped  the  body  in  its  folds;  and  collecting 
«he  gold  watch,  money  and  card-case  strewn  upon  the 
aands,  slipped  everything  back  into  a  waistcoat  pocket 
with  the  exception  of  a  three  day  old  programme  an- 
nouncing a  cotillion  at  Shepherd's  Hotel,  a  sketch  of 


DESERT  LOVE  253 

which  hideous  building  was  elaborately  and  menda- 
ciously reproduced  on  the  cover,  so  that  to  the  mind 
of  uneducated  Yussuf,  unversed  in  the  English  tongue, 
there  was  but  one  thing  to  do,  and  that  to  go  straight 
to  the  well-known  caravanserai  with  his  burden,  and 
deliver  it  safely  into  the  proprietor's  hands. 

So  Yussuf,  euphoniously  termed  a  benighted  heathen 
by  some  enlightened  Christians,  seated  himself  upon 
the  fastest  camel  in  the  caravan,  receiving  into  his  arms 
the  thing  that  was  still  a  man  by  their  good  efforts, 
from  the  hands  of  the  other  heathen,  who,  with  hands 
raised  to  heaven,  called  down  the  blessing  of  Allah  upon 
men  and  beast  as  the  latter  departed  at  her  swiftest 
for  the  great  city,  leaving  him  to  follow  in  more  lei- 
surely manner. 

So  that  consternation  and  excitement  were  great 
among  those  who  sat  upon  the  verandah  after  dinner, 
partaking  of  coffee  and  cigarettes  before  undertaking 
the  more  strenuous  task  of  entertaining  themselves, 
when  in  the  glare  of  the  electric  light  a  great  camel 
suddenly  appeared  out  of  the  night,  and  totally  dis- 
regarding the  upraised  voice  of  the  enormous  hotel 
porter,  subsided  in  the  gutter,  thereby  causing  a  block 
in  the  street;  whilst  a  man  clumsily  dismounted  and 
staggered  up  the  shallow  steps,  tenderly  holding  some 
covered  burden  the  while  in  his  arms  that  were  break- 
ing with  fatigue,  and  who,  speaking  with  authority, 
demanded  speech  of  the  proprietor,  who,  furious  at 
being  disturbed,  came  forth  as  furiously  to  annihilate 
the  disturber,  but  instead,  at  the  first  word  from  the 
Arab,  who  clutched  a  dirty  piece  of  paper  in  a  hand 
almost  paralysed  with  cramp,  lifted  a  corner  of  the 


254  DESERT  LOVE 

cloth  from  about  that  which  lay  so  inertly  under  the 
all-hiding  cloak,  and  choked,  and  stuttered,  and  then 
recovering  himself,  blandly  led  the  Arab  to  the  lift 
which  whirled  them  to  the  first  floor,  leaving  the  occu- 
pants on  the  verandah  all  a-twitter,  whilst  the  coffee 
grew  cold  and  the  cigarettes  went  out, 


CHAPTER  XLIV 

DAYS  and  nights  passed,  and  still  more  days  and 
nights,  in  which  the  man,  bound  from  head  to  foot  in 
soft  wrappings  soaked  in  unguents,  tossed  and  raved, 
screaming  for  water,  tearing  at  the  bed-linen  which  to 
his  distorted  mind  was  alive  with  every  conceivable 
insect,  beating  blindly  at  the  faces  of  the  two  women 
who,  refusing  any  help,  watched  over  and  tended  Jack 
Wetherbourne  through  his  days  of  distress. 

"  Aye,  lass !  Now  don't  'ee  lose  'eart,"  whispered 
Sarah  Ann  Gruntham  to  the  girl  who,  having  held 
consultation  with  the  doctor,  was  sobbing  her  heart 
out  on  the  elder  woman's  motherly  bosom  which  cov- 
ered a  heart  of  purest  gold.  "  Don't  'ee  listen  to  such 
fash,  lass,  for  what's  he  likely  to  know  outside  of  Lady 
Jones's  wimble-wambles  and  me  Lor'  Fitznoodles'  rheu- 
matism. Why  'e  couldn't  even  tell  that  I  'ad  'ad  a 
touch  of  my  old  complaint,  and  me  with  an  'andle  to 
me  name.  Come,  lass,  oop  with  ye  bonnie  head,  for 
I'll  tell  'ee  the  great  news  —  I  sees  a  bead  o'  perspira- 
tion on  Sir  John's  brow  —  an'  so  I'm  off  to  take  me  'air 
out  of  crackers.  Though  Tim  does  find  it  more  home- 
like, 'e  says,  when  I  'ave  'em  h'in  —  oh,  dearie !  dearie ! 
I  often  wish  I  was  plain  Mrs.  Gruntham  again  with  no 
aitehes  to  mind.  I'll  be  with  you  in  ten  minutes,  and 
then,  lass,  ye'll  just  run  away  and  have  a  bath  —  I 
managed  the  aitch  that  time  —  and  come  back  as  fresh 

255 


256  DESEKT  LOVE 

as  a  daisy,  if  there  were  such  a  innocent  thing  in  this 
land  of  sphinxes  and  minxes  —  and  ye'll  see  ten  beads 
then,  which  sounds  as  tho'  I  be  a  Roman  instead  of  a 
strict  Baptist.  I'll  run  along,  love,  and  don't  let  'im 
see  tears  in  them  bonny  eyes  of  yours  when  he  comes 
to  know  ye,  lass." 

And  the  dearest  old  soul  in  the  world  waddled  away 
to  take  her  hair  out  of  the  crackers  which  had  made  a 
steel  halo  round  her  silvery  hair  for  many  a  night,  and 
waddled  back  again  to  see  Mary  with  a  great  glow  in 
her  eyes,  and  her  hand  clasping  the  skeleton  fingers  of 
Jack  Wetherbourne,  who  had  known  her  at  last,  and 
was  gazing  blissfully  at  his  beloved. 

His  lips  moved,  though  so  weak  was  he  that  no 
sound  came  from  them,  so  that  Mary  had  to  bend  to 
catch  the  whisper  until  her  ear  just  touched  the  lips 
still  distorted  from  the  effects  of  the  desert  sun. 

She  sat  up,  blushing  from  chin  to  brow,  and  smil- 
ingly shook  her  head. 

"  I  will  marry  you,  Jack  dear,  as  soon  as  we  find 
Jill!" 

Wetherbourne  made  a  feeble  and  unsuccessful  at- 
tempt to  frown,  and  then  turned  his  eyes  as  Mary 
turned  her  head  on  the  opening  of  the  door  between 
the  bedroom  and  the  sitting-room. 

In  the  doorway  stood  the  bewildering  picture  of  an 
Eastern  woman. 

Wrapped  round  in  the  voluminous  cloak  of  the  East, 
with  the  face  and  head  veils  hiding  all  but  her  eyes, 
she  stood  quite  still  as  Lady  Sarah  bustled  across  the 
room  towards  her,  and  Mary  held  up  a  warning  hand. 


DESERT  LOVE  257 

A  twitching  of  the  man's  fingers  drew  Mary's  atten- 
tion, and  once  more  she  leant  down  to  him. 

"  We're  engaged,"  came  the  faint  whisper,  "  it's 
Jill!" 


CHAPTER  XLV 

DECKED  out  in  Mary's  trappings  Jill  lay  on  the 
couch,  her  pale  face  shining  like  an  evening  flower, 
whilst  she  passed  the  brush  over  and  over  again  through 
the  burnished  strands  of  her  wonderful  hair. 

Mary  had  sat  spellbound,  almost  open-mouthed,  at 
the  Arabian  Nights  tale  Jill  had  poured  into  her 
astounded  ears. 

"  Hahmed !  "  she  had  exclaimed  when  Jill  had  told 
her  of  her  marriage ;  and  be  it  confessed  that  Jill  had 
tautened  to  meet  the  coming  attack,  and  relaxed  when 
Mary,  clasping  her  capable  hands,  had  suddenly  and 
whole-heartedly  beamed  upon  her.  "  Why,  I've  heard 
the  most  wonderful  things  about  him  since  I  have  been 
out  here,  in  fact  I've  been  almost  wearied  to  death 
listening  to  the  accounts  of  his  Haroun  al  Raschid 
methods  and  qualities.  His  wedding  put  Cairo  in  an 

uproar  —  I  saw  the  pro But  Jill,  darling,  is  it 

possible  it  was  you  inside  the  palanquin  on  the  wonder- 
ful camel  ? " 

Jill  nodded  as  she  busied  herself  in  plaiting  her  hair 
into  great  ropes. 

"  And  you've  run  away  —  escaped,  you  say  ?  " 

Jill  nodded  again. 

"  Yes !  "  she  said,  with  three  big  tortoiseshell  combs 
between  her  teeth.  "  We  had  a  frightful  flare-up  —  all 
tihe  fault  of  my  tearing  temper.  You  see  I've  been 
absolutely  spoilt  these  last  months,  and  I  simply  be- 

258 


DESERT  LOVE  259 

haved  anyhow  the  first  time  I  got  scolded.  But  I 
didn't  deserve  it  all  the  same !  "  she  added  as  an  after- 
thought, as  she  wound  the  plaits  round  her  head. 
"  And,"  she  went  on,  "  I  should  never  have  got  away 
if  Mustapha  had  been  with  us." 

"  Who's  Mustapha  ?  " 

"  My  own  special  bodyguard !  But  as  he  wasn't 
there  I  managed  to  thoroughly  examine  the  high  wall 
round  the  grounds,  and  found  just  one  spot  to  give 
me  a  foothold.  I  scrambled  up  in  the  heat  of  the  day 
when  everyone  was  asleep,  and  had  a  terrible  time  with 
my  garments." 

She  pointed  as  she  spoke  to  a  scented  heap  of  silk 
and  satin  thrown  on  a  chair. 

"  I  had  to  partly  disrobe  whilst  sitting  on  the  top 
of  the  wall,  and  was  terrified  in  case  some  pedlar  might 
chance  along.  I  tied  my  face  and  head  veil  round  my 
waist,  but  the  hdbarah,  that  big  black  cloak  —  by  the 
way  it  belongs  to  one  of  my  women,  and  I  borrowed 
it  with  the  excuse  that  I  wanted  it  copied,  mine  you 
see  are  rather  ornamental,  as,  of  course,  I  never  walk 
in  the  streets  —  well,  I  threw  that  on  to  the  ground, 
tucked  up  my  sebleh,  that  dressing-gown  sort  of  thing, 
and  scrambled  down  the  other  side,  as  I  did  not  want  to 
jump,  ripping  the  knees  of  my  sMntiyan  —  the  wide 
trouser  kind  of  things  we  wear " 

Mary's  face  was  a  study. 

"  Thanks  to  my  borrowed  cloak  I  was  able  to  walk 
through  the  streets  in  comfort  —  drawing  my  burko, 
face  veil,  dear,  across  my  face  so  that  only  one  eye 
should  be  seen,1  and  a  blue  one  at  that.  When  I  got 

i  A  custom. 


260  DESERT  LOVE 

to  Cairo  I  hired  a  car  —  speaking  in  Arabic  to  the 
astounded  and  fluttering  Englishman  —  drove  to  the 
Savoy,  where  I  guessed  you'd  be  —  found  you'd  moved 
here  —  came  here  —  and  being  mistaken  for  what  I 
am  by  marriage,  namely,  a  high-born  lady  of  the  land, 
was  conducted  straightway  to  you  in  spite  of  the  in- 
valid —  et  voila  !  " 

Mary  got  up,  and  crossing  to  Jill  sat  down  beside 
her  on  the  couch. 

"And  what  now,  Jill  ?  Hahmed  will  come  and  fetch 
you." 

"  Not  Hahmed,"  said  Jill,  with  a  shadow  in  her  eyes 
as  she  remembered  his  parting  words  after  what  she 
had  tersely  called  the  flare-up.  "  Besides,  he  trusts  me 
really!"  she  added  as  an  afterthought,  and  continued 
with  a  note  of  feverish  excitement  in  her  voice:  "  No! 
I'm  going  to  stay  with  you,  Mary,  if  you'll  let  me,  un- 
til something  or  another  happens  to  help  me  make  up 
my  mind.  I  want  to  do  a  lot  of  sight-seeing,  and 
wear  white  skirts  and  a  silk  jersey  and  blouse.  I'll 
find  a  maid  somewhere,  I  expect." 

"  Oh  !  "  broke  in  practical  Mary,  "  don't  worry  about 
that  —  servants  are  such  a  nuisance.  Do  you  remem- 
ber Higgins?  Well!  she  came  out  with  me,  and  gave 
me  notice  the  second  week  — '  couldn't  abide  the  'eathen 
ways ' —  and  wanted  to  get  back  to  her  home  in  Vaux- 
hall.  But  the  proprietor  found  me  a  native  woman, 
a  perfect  treasure,  whose  one  complaint  is  that  she 
hasn't  enough  work  to  do !  " 

Silence  fell  for  a  time  whilst  Mary  studied  the  face 
of  her  friend,  suddenly  leaning  forward  to  stroke  the 
pale  cheek  and  pat  the  little  hand. 


DESEKT  LOVE  261 

"  You  don't  look  well,  Jillikins !  Are  you  sure  you 
are  happy  ? " 

"  Perfectly,"  said  Jill,  turning  her  face  to  the  cush- 
ions and  bursting  into  uncontrollable  weeping. 


CHAPTER  XLVI 

WITH  short  steps  the  native  woman  shuffled  quickly 
along  the  outside  of  the  wall  surrounding  the  house  of 
Hahmed  the  Arab,  stopping  in  front  of  the  great  gates, 
which  were  closed  at  sunset,  to  peer  between  the  wrought 
bronze  work,  standing  her  ground  unconcernedly  when 
a  Nubian  of  gigantic  proportions  suddenly  appeared  on 
the  other  side. 

Terrifying  he  looked  as  he  towered  in  the  dusk,  his 
huge  eyes  rolling,  and  his  hand  on  the  hilt  of  a  scimitar, 
which  looked  as  though  it  had  been  tempered  more  for 
use  than  for  ornament. 

"  What  wouldst  thou  ?  "  he  demanded  in  dog  Arabic 
of  the  woman  whose  eyes  flashed  disdainfully  over  the 
veil  which  hid  her  pock-marked  face. 

"  Speech  with  they  master,  who  has  bidden  me  to  his 
presence,  and  move  quickly,  thou  black  dog  of  ill  re- 
pute; tarry  not  in  saying  that  his  servant  from  the 
big  house  in  the  city  has  news  for  his  most  august 
ears." 

The  son  of  ill  repute  stared  inquisitively  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  then  moved  off  slowly  with  the  inimitable 
gait  of  these  ebon  specimens  of  mankind,  increasing 
his  pace  almost  to  a  run  once  out  of  the  female's  range 
of  vision. 

Like  a  shadow  she  followed  the  different  people,  who, 
passing  her  from  one  to  another,  led  her  through 
rooms  and  halls  into  an  open  court,  at  the  far  end  of 

2«2 


DESERT  LOVE  263 

which  sat  the  man  she  sought,  watching  two  jaguars 
being  led  up  and  down  before  him. 

"  Peace  unto  thee,  O !  my  daughter,  and  fear  not  to 
approach,"  Hahmed  said  gently  as  the  woman  made 
deep  obeisance,  and  shrank  from  the  animals  who 
snarled  at  her  viciously.  "  And  thou,  my  son,  take 
these  products  of  the  bazaar  hence,  for  surely  hast  thou 
been  fooled  by  him  who  brought  them  from  distant 
olimes.  Verily,  the  sire  may  have  been  a  jaguar,  but 
his  mate,  judging  from  the  shape  of  the  offspring,  must 
most  surely  have  been  a  jackal.  Bring  not  such  trash 
to  me,  if  thou  wouldst  not  incur  my  wrath !  " 

The  snarling  products  of  the  bazaar  were  hurriedly 
jerked  out  of  the  court  as  Hahmed  turned  to  the 
woman. 

"  Is  all  well,  O !  faithful  one  ?  " 

"  All  is  well,  O !  Most  High,"  answered  the  Honour- 
able Mary's  perfect  treasure  of  a  maid.  "  Behold  the 
gracious  flower,  upon  whom  it  is  my  joy  and  honour 
to  wait,  changeth  her  mood  one  hundred  times  in  the 
passing  hour.  She  laughs  at  noon,  and  her  pillow  is 
wet  with  salt  tears  at  night;  her  feet,  like  lotus-buds, 
carry  her  hither  and  thither  in  the  day,  the  dimness  of 
her  room  sees  her  face  downwards  upon  her  couch. 

"  As  unto  a  sweet  rose  she  clings  to  her  friend,  the 
great  lady,  who  forsooth  is  as  pleasing  as  a  well-cooked 
dish  of  the  flesh  of  kid  mingled  with  tamarind  and  rice ; 
but  the  rose  mixeth  not  with  other  flowers,  and  about 
her  heart  rests  thy  most  honourable  picture." 

For  some  long  time  Hahmed  stared  unseeingly  in 
front  and  then  he  spoke. 

"  Thou  hast  worked  well,  my  daughter,  even  from  the 


264  DESERT  LOVE 

moment  when  thou  didst  take  the  place  of  the  great 
lady's  white  servant,  to  report  to  me  upon  the  doings 
of  the  white  man  who  strove  to  find  my  wife. 

"Ask  what  reward  thou  will'st,  it  shall  be  granted 
unto  thee !  " 

And  the  man,  knowing  the  cupidity  of  his  race,  was 
gpmewhat  astounded  when,  casting  herself  at  his  feet, 
"Hae  woman  craved  to  be  taken  into  his  household  so 
that,  as  she  put  it,  "  I  may  dwell  in  content  in  thy 
shadow,  and  the  shadow  of  the  snow-white  dove  when 
she  wings  her  way  back  to  happiness."  Just  for  a  mo- 
ment the  Arab  looked  into  the  eyes  of  the  woman,  as, 
greatly  daring,  she  lifted  her  right  hand. 

"  For  so  it  is  written,  O !  my  lord !  the  blessing  of 
Allah  is  upon  thee,  and  thy  heart  shall  be  at  rest." 


CHAPTER  XLVII 

THE  day  following  the  native  woman's  surreptitious 
visit  to  the  great  Arab  saw  Jill  and  Mary  and  Jack, 
followed  discreetly  by  the  same  native  woman,  set  sail 
at  an  early,  gay  and  blithesome  hour  for  Denderah, 
where  are  to  be  seen  the  ruins  of  the  Temple  of  Hathor, 
the  Venus  of  Ancient  Egypt. 

Upon  arriving,  after  much  dallying  on  the  way,  Jill 
insisted  upon  walking  along  the  narrow  tracks  through 
the  stretches  of  corn  and  sweet-smelling  flowering  bean, 
among  which,  to  the  general  horror,  cattle  ranging  from 
cows  to  goats  were  allowed  to  roam  at  will. 

A  temple  of  love  calls  up  visions  of  marble  halls, 
marble  fretwork,  basins  with  splashing  waters  and  mar- 
ble doves,  pillars  crowned  with  intertwined  marble 
hearts  and  lovers'  knots  tied  with  marble  ribbons;  there- 
fore Jill  stood  transfixed  as  she  entered  the  great  hall 
of  columns,  with  the  goddess's  somewhat  forbidding 
head  carved  on  each  side  of  each  pillar. 

She  walked  across  slowly  to  peer  into  the  inner  court, 
shrouded  in  deep  shadows,  shuddered  and  moved  back 
towards  the  other  two,  whose  mentality,  psychology  or 
temperament  responded  not  in  the  least  to  light  and 
shade. 

Together  they  traversed  the  place,  Jill  running  her 
hand  over  the  hieroglyphics  which  cover  the  pillars  to 
their  beautiful  capitals,  until  she  stopped  before  a  rep- 

265 


266  DESERT  LOVE 

resentation  of  Hathor  the  wanton,  standing  naked  and 
verily  unashamed  before  the  image  of  a  man  whose 
name  I  know  not,  but  whose  beauty  and  nudity  are  aa 
great  as  hers. 

Turning  sharply  she  glanced  hurriedly  at  Jack  and 
Mary,  and  slipping  a  hand  through  the  arm  of  each, 
almost  pulled  them  across  the  floor  to  a  stairway  made 
in  the  wall  and  leading  to  the  roof. 

For,  taken  up  in  their  own  love  story,  those  two 
had  noticed  nothing,  not  even  the  uncountable  figures 
of  stone  in  the  bas-reliefs  which,  appearing  to  turn  and 
whisper  to  each  other,  seem  in  the  shadows  to  take 
a  delight  in  portraying  by  pantomimic  gestures  a  love 
wholly  allied  to  voluptuousness  and  license. 

But  Jill  had  seen,  and  her  ultra  fastidiousness  had 
dyed  face  and  neck  crimson,  and  caused  her  to  try  and 
spare  her  companions  similar  uncomfortable  moments. 

For  a  moment  she  stood  on  the  roof  watching  the 
clouds  of  twittering  birds  as  they  flew  in  the  direction 
of  the  Libyan  Hills,  and  then  she  slipped  quietly  down 
the  stairway,  leaving  her  friends,  supremely  oblivious 
of  her  presence  or  absence,  weaving  their  love-tale  on 
the  roof  of  the  ruined  temple  of  love. 

With  nerves  a-j angle  and  heart  disturbed  Jill  longed 
for  shadows  and  solitude,  so  that  she  shrank  back,  hesi- 
tated, and  then  advanced  slowly  towards  the  veiled  fig- 
ure of  a  woman  standing  watching  her  from  the  shad- 
ows of  the  very  heart  of  the  ruins,  the  holy  of  holies, 
the  hall  of  past  mysteries  and  solemn  rites. 

"  What  wouldst  thou  ? "  Jill  asked  her  in  Arabic, 
which  was  as  wellnigh  perfect  as  any  European  can 
make  it,  and  although  she  could  hardly  make  out  one 


DESERT  LOVE  267 

whole  sentence  of  what  she  took  for  a  dialect  spoken 
by  the  woman,  she  grasped  enough  to  understand  that 
the  Egyptian,  draped  in  the  peasant's  cloak,  was  anx- 
ious to  read  her  fortune  in  the  sand  she  carried  in  the 
black  handkerchief,  and  which  sand  she  said  she  had 
gathered  on  the  steps  of  the  temple's  high  altar  at  the 
full  moon. 

Jill  sat  down  on  a  fallen  block  of  masonry,  looking 
very  fragile,  very  sweet,  very  fair,  with  her  white 
throat  gleaming  above  the  white  silk  blouse  and  jersey, 
soft  blue  hat  pulled  over  her  sunny  head  to  shade  her 
face,  death-white  save  for  the  shadows  which  seemed 
to  make  a  mask  about  her  eyes,  as  she  drew  hiero- 
glyphics on  her  own  account  in  the  sand  with  the  tip 
of  her  small  white  shoe. 

She  had  heard  of  the  extraordinary  powers  possessed 
by  some  of  the  Egyptian  people  ;•  Hahmed  had  told  her 
of  their  gift  of  reading  the  future  in  the  sand ;  among 
her  own  household  she  had  come  across  authentic  cases 
where  the  most  unlikely  things  predicted  had  come  to 
pass. 

And  the  cloud  about  her  was  so  thick,  and  weighed 
so  heavily  upon  her!  Of  her  own  free-will  she  had 
flung  her  happiness  away,  and  with  her  happiness  had 
gone  her  content  and  light-heartedness.  She  laughed 
with  others,  and  cried  softly  by  herself  at  night;  she 
shared  the  amusements  with  others,  and  sat  up  at 
night,  bewildered  and  afraid,  to  steal  to  the  mirror  and 
look  upon  a  pinched  face  with  tightened  nostrils,  and 
to  wipe  away  the  dampness  gathered  under  the  golden 
curls. 

Had  her  marriage  been  a  mistake  or  not?     If  not, 


268  DESERT  LOVE 

why  had  she  fled  before  the  first  little  sign  of  storm? 
If  it  had  been,  why  was  she  utterly  miserable  now  that 
liberty  was  hers  ? 

Her  friends  would  surely  be  taking  their  departure 
soon.  Should  she  go  too,  or  should  she  go  back  in  all 
humbleness  to  the  man  she  loved  \  Did  he  want  her, 
having  shown  no  sign  or  desire  for  her  return  \  Did 
he  —  did  he  not  ?  A  decision  must  be  made,  and  soon, 
but  what  was  it  to  be?  Round  and  round,  like  a 
flock  of  startled  pigeons,  went  her  thoughts,  one  break- 
ing away  to  whirr  into  the  back  of  her  mind,  another 
to  drift  into  the  shadows,  and  another,  and  yet  an- 
other, whilst  the  rest  flew  on,  round  and  round! 

And  then  she  shrank  back,  gripping  the  stone  with 
two  cold  little  hands  as  great  drops  gathered  and  trio- 
kled  down  her  face,  her  breath  coming  in  silent  gasps. 

Stricken  with  terror  she  threw  out  her  arms  passion- 
ately. 

"  Speak,  woman,  speak !  Spread  the  sand,  and  read 
to  me  what  thou  seest  therein.  Thy  finger  shall  point 
the  way,  and  that  way  will  I  follow  wherever  it  may 
lead." 


CHAPTER  XLVIII 

WHEREUPON  the  woman  of  the  shadows,  turning  to- 
wards that  which  had  once  been  an  altar,  and  raising 
her  arms  straight  above  her  head  with  hands  out-turned 
at  an  acute  angle,  thrice  repeated  words  that  were  ab- 
solutely unintelligible  to  Jill. 

And  then  kneeling,  she  spread  the  sand  upon  the 
ground,  dividing  it  into  circles  and  squares,  drawing 
curious  signs  with  the  tip  of  her  hand,  which  as  Jill 
noticed  was  passing  white  and  slender  for  that  of  a 
peasant  woman,  and  spoke  —  in  modern  tongue. 

"  Behold,  O !  woman,  who  emerged  from  a  grey  cloud 
to  enter  into  the  radiance  of  the  sun,  thou  art  beloved 
by  the  gods  who  rule  the  earth  through  the  countless 
and  eternal  ages.  Thou  dost  pause  upon  the  threshold 
of  the  temple  of  love,  fearing  these  shadows  which  will 
pass  away  when  thou  shalt  stand  within  the  great  ra- 
diance of  the  goddess.  Yea !  and  fearful  art  thou  of 
the  sand  out  of  which  shall  spring  a  tree  of  many 
branches,  and  in  the  shade  of  which  thou  shalt  encom- 
pass thy  life's  span.  Behold,"  and  the  finger  drew  a 
line  upon  the  sand,  "  the  grey  cloud  encloses  thee  yet 
once  again,  and  the  goddess  weeps  without!  Yet  will 
she  rejoice!  Before  many  moons  have  come  and  gone, 
the  great  god  Amen  shall  tear  aside  that  which  blindeth 
thee,  and  placing  a  man  son  upon  thy  breast  shall  lead 

thee  into  the  innermost  temple. 

269 


270  DESERT  LOVE 

"  Six  times  shall  Amen  strike  thee  in  love,  so  that 
thou  bearest  sons,  and  once  shall  he  strike  thee  upon 
both  breasts  so  that  a  woman  child  shall  spring  from 
thy  loins. 

"  Love  is  thy  portion,  thy  meat,  and  thy  drink,  bring- 
ing unto  thee  those  who  travailing  in  love  shall  come 
for  thy  wisdom,  and  those  labouring  in  grief  for  thy 
succour. 

"  And  thou  shalt  not  die  before  thy  time,  and  thou 
shalt  pass  to  the  gods  with  thy  hand  in  thy  master's, 
for  he  shall  not  leave  thee  through  all  thy  life,  nay  not 
even  at  the  last.  And  thy  name  shall  ring  throughout 
the  land  of  Egypt,  and  be  engraven  upon  the  walls  of 
time. 

"  Behold  Hathor,  behold  I  say !  "  and  three  times  the 
unintelligible  words  rang  through  the  place  as  Jill  sank 
back  staring  open-eyed. 

The  small  white  hand  had  pulled  the  veil  aside  from 
about  the  face,  and  head,  and  body  of  the  fortune-teller, 
so  that  for  a  moment  she  seemed  to  stand  outlined 
against  the  pillar,  with  flashing  eyes,  scarlet  mouth, 
and  brow  encircled  with  a  golden  band,  from  which 
sprang  something  round  with  wings  set  in  precious 
stones ;  the  glory  of  her  gleaming  body  shone  white 
as  ivory  in  the  gloom,  her  perfect  arms  stretched 
straight  downwards  with  hands  turned  sharply  in  so 
that  the  finger-tips  rested  on  the  rounded  thighs. 

And  then  Jill  rubbed  her  eyes  and  stared,  and  stared 
again;  for  the  spot  was  empty,  save  for  a  square  of 
sand  with  strange  signs  drawn  upon  it;  neither  was 
there  sound  of  retreating  footsteps  or  swish  of  drapery. 

Jill  stumbled  to  her  feet,  swaying  as  she  caught  at  a 


DESEKT  LOVE  271 

pillar  for  supj,  ->rt,  and  then  with  a  violent  effort  of 
will  walked  to  i  great  shaft  of  sunlight  which  struck 
the  ground  in  front  of  the  ruins  of  the  high  altar  from 
an  opening  in  the  roof. 

"  Am  I  mad  ?  "  she  whispered.  "  Did  I  dream  that 
woman  —  and  yet  the  sand  is  there !  " 

A  pitiful  little  smile  flickered  across  the  ashen  face 
as  she  stood  motionless  and  alone  in  the  ruins. 

"  The  temple  of  love,"  she  cried  softly,  flinging  out 
her  arms,  "  the  temple  of  love  and  I  am  alone.  Hahmed 
beloved,  where  are  you  ?  I  feel  so  —  I  —  I  wish  you 
were  here  to  take  me  in  your  arms.  Hahmed  —  I  want 
comforting  —  I  do  —  I'm  lonely  —  I  — I'm  —  oh,  oh ! 
God  —  God  have  mercy  on  me  —  I  —  we " 

For  a  moment  the  transfigured  girl  stood  upright, 
her  face  one  blaze  of  wonder  in  the  light  of  the  sun, 
her  eyes  wide  open  and  filled  with  a  great  surprise  and 
a  greater  awe. 

And  then  she  slowly  sank  to  her  knees  and  bowed 
her  beautiful  head  to  the  sand,  whilst  the  echoes  took 
up  her  words  and  carried  them  to  the  far  corners  of  the 
vast  ruins. 

"  I  am  not  worthy,  my  beloved,  for  this  great  honour 
—  I  am  not  worthy  in  that  I  am  not  with  thee  at  this 
moment  when  thy  child  stirs  within  me.  I  am  covered 
in  shame  in  that  I  doubted.  I  am  bowed  down  with 
shame  and  yet  lifted  up  to  the  heavens  with  joy." 

For  long  minutes  thus  knelt  she  alone  with  her 
happiness,  and  then  she  raised  herself  whilst  a  great 
sob  shook  her  from  head  to  foot. 

"  Hahmed,"  she  cried  as  she  flung  her  arms  out  wide, 
"  Hahmed,  wherever  thou  art  I  am  calling  thee. 


272  DESERT  LOVE 

Hahmed,  Hahmed !  "  and  fell  face  d  onward  uncon- 
scious upon  the  sand  covered  floor. 

Noiselessly  an  Arab  stepped  from  behind  a  pillar, 
crossing  to  the  still  figure  on  the  ground,  and  gently 
he  picked  her  up  in  his  arms,  covering  her  in  the  folds 
of  his  great  white  cloak. 

"  Little  bird !  little  bird !  "  he  whispered  in  the  beau- 
tiful Arabian  tongue,  "  why  willst  thou  beat  thy  tender 
wings  against  the  bars  of  happiness  around  thy  dwell- 
ing ?  And  thou  wert  frightened  —  frightened  by  yon 
peasant  woman.  What  said  she,  my  dove,  to  strike 
thee  senseless  to  the  ground  ? 

"  Thou  art  pale,  O !  my  heart's  delight,  and  weigh 
but  as  a  handful  of  down  upon  my  arm,  and  yet  must 
thou  learn  thy  lesson  to  the  end;  and  even  will  I  for- 
sake thee,  leaving  thee  guided  by  the  star  of  happiness 
to  find  thy  way  alone  to  thy  dwelling  in  the  desert. 
Yea !  there  will  I  await  thee,  O !  my  beloved  —  be- 
loved!" 

And  Hahmed  passed  swiftly  through  the  hall  of 
shadows,  and  down  the  fields  of  waving  corn  and  sweet 
scented  bean  to  the  banks  of  the  Nile,  and  there  he 
placed  his  sweet  burden  in  the  arms  of  the  faithful 
native  woman,  who  tenderly  wiped  the  sand  from  the 
golden  curls  and  raised  her  right  hand  in  fealty  to  her 
master  as  he  turned  away,  neither  did  she  falter  in  her 
tale  to  Mary  and  Jack  when,  goaded  by  anxiety  and  in 
spite  of  the  heat,  they  ran  down  towards  the  boat. 

"Sunstroke!"  said  Mary,  who  had  a  certificate  for 
first-aid,  and  speaking  with  the  certain  flat  determina- 
tion which  even  her  best  friends  found  most  trying  at 
times.  "  You  simply  cannot  go  about  in  Egypt  with- 


DESERT  LOVE  273 

out  a  green-lined  umbrella.  Yes!  it's  a  slight,  quite 
slight  attack  of  sunstroke,"  she  continued,  without  no- 
ticing the  radiance  of  Jill's  eyes,  "  and  I  will  apply 
this  damp  handkerchief  to  your  medulla  oblongata." 


CHAPTER  XLIX 

JILL  sat  on  the  edge  of  her  bed  in  an  hotel  at  Suez. 

That  she  was  absolutely  alone  in  Egypt,  and  ought 
not  to  have  been  alone,  never  entered  her  head  once, 
as  she  gazed  through  the  open  window  towards  the  sea. 

Her  eyes  shone  like  stars,  her  mouth  was  a  beautiful 
sign  of  content,  her  hands  were  clasped  peacefully  on 
her  knee,  and  she  simply  radiated  happiness. 

Mary  and  Jack,  Lady  Bingham,  Diana  Lytham  and 
Sir  Timothy  and  Lady  Sarah,  had  started  that  morning 
for  England  in  the  great  liner  which  Jill  had  watched 
unconcernedly  until  it  disappeared  up  the  canal. 

And  so  for  the  first  time  for  many  weary  weeks  she 
was  alone,  though  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  liberty 
had  only  been  gained  by  a  deliberate  perversion  of  the 
truth. 

Fussed  by  kind-hearted,  though  somewhat  scanda- 
lised Lady  Gruntham,  driven  to  the  point  of  madness 
by  the  never-ending  stream  of  wisdom,  advice,  and  plans 
which  from  morning  till  night  flowed  unceasingly  from 
the  store  of  Mary's  book-gleaned  knowledge,  Jill  had 
cleared  up  the  situation  all  round  by  suddenly  announc- 
ing the  imaginative  fact  that  Hahmed  was  coming  to 
Cairo  to  fetch  her  home.  Whereupon  Mary  Bingham 
had  arranged  everything  to  her  own  entire  satisfaction 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  told  Jack  Wetherbourne  that 
she  and  her  mother  were  leaving  for  England  if  he'd 

like  to  come  too,  had  worked  her  maid  to  death  with 

274 


DESEET  LOVE  275 

packing,  distributing  quite  a  fair  supply  of  backsheesh, 
and  had  bundled  her  bewildered  mother  and  contented 
fiance  down  to  Suez,  where  Jill  had  seen  them  off  to  the 
accompaniment  of  a  last  final  flood  of  advice  which  was 
mercifully  lost  in  the  scream  of  the  siren,  the  rasp  of 
machinery,  and  the  manifold  sounds  which  add  hi- 
lariously, especially  in  foreign  climes,  to  the  pandemo- 
nium that  reigns  to  within  a  second  of  the  cry  which 
invites  some  of  us  to  descend  to  terra  firma  on  the 
occasion  of  the  sailing  of  a  passenger  boat. 

Jill  suddenly  came  out  of  a  reverie  which  had  painted 
her  cheeks  a  most  exquisite  pink,  and  caused  her  teeth 
to  show  in  the  faintest  smile. 

Then  she  frowned  and  shook  back  her  mane  of  hair, 
as  was  her  habit  when  perplexed,  and  spoke  softly  to 
the  night  wind  which  was  blowing  straight  in  at  the 
window  from  the  other  side  of  the  canal. 

"  The  oasis  is  calling  me,  night  wind,  calling,  calling, 
and  yet  I  do  not  know.  You  who  come  from  the  oasis, 
tell  me,  is  my  beloved  there,  or  shall  I  find  my  dwelling 
empty,  and  my  happiness  but  as  a  turned-down  cup  ?  " 

Who  can  explain  what  it  is  that  leads  the  spirit 
astraying  from  its  material  covering? 

Are  love  and  longing  its  sole  companions  upon  the 
road  of  shadows?  Surely  no!  for  is  not  revenge,  or 
jealousy,  or  the  near  approach  of  that  which  is  called 
death  as  potent  to  span  the  stretches  of  the  world ;  and 
will  not  a  vision  of  stark  terror  blot  out  the  sun  at  the 
commonplace  hour  of  noon,  and  may  not  the  body, 
squatting  on  the  market  pavement,  find  it  a  place  of 
rest,  even  as  unto  a  seat  in  paradise  through  the  spirit'g 
communion  ? 


276  DESERT  LOVE 

The  soul's  wireless,  mental  telepathy,  the  sympa- 
thetic chord,  and  so  on,  and  so  on,  good  honest  words  to 
describe  that  which  no  one  understands,  and  which 
caused  the  girl  sitting  on  a  prosaic  bed  in  a  prosaic 
hotel  to  smile  suddenly  as  she  sat  so  very  still. 

For  her  soul  had  wandered  until  she  stood  with  her 
feet  in  the  sand,  looking  in  at  a  wide-open  door  through 
which  a  beam  of  violet-orange  light  struck  across  the 
night. 

Two  men  sat  motionless  within,  until  one  slowly 
turned  his  head  and  looked  through  the  door  straight 
into  her  eyes. 

For  one  long  moment,  with  unutterable  longing  he 
gazed,  and  then  the  vision  faded  just  as  Jill,  saying 
softly,  "  Beloved !  I  come,"  stretched  out  her  arms,  and 
with  a  sudden  shiver  awoke  to  her  surroundings. 


PART  III 

THE  FRUXX 


CHAPTEK  L 

"  DOUBTLESS  my  beloved  sleeps !  "  thought  Hahmed 
the  Arab,  as  he  looked  at  the  watch  on  his  wrist  to  find 
it  pointing  to  midnight,  and  clapped  his  hands  for  fresh 
coffee,  then  lit  another  cigarette  whilst  his  guest  who, 
like  himself,  sat  cross-legged  on  cushions  on  the  floor, 
inhaled  contentedly  from  a  shibulc  J  in  a  house  of  rest 
on  the  outer  edge  of  a  distant  oasis. 

Weary  to  death  was  he  of  the  uninterrupted  flow  of 
words  which  unceasingly  streamed  from  the  mouth  of 
the  cross-bred  man,  who  was  gleefully  rubbing  the  hands 
of  his  soul  over  what  he  imagined  to  be  the  clinching 
of  a  remarkable  bargain  with  the  Camel  King,  whereas 
if  he  had  but  known  it,  his  host  had  merely  put  a  little 
difficulty  in  the  way  so  as  to  lengthen  the  deal,  and 
thereby  kill  a  few  moments  of  the  dreary  hours  of  the 
dreary  time  he  had  passed  since  had  left  the  woman  he 
loved  alone  to  learn  the  last  words  of  her  lesson. 

Turning  he  called  sharply  to  the  servile  proprietor 
of  the  house,  which  for  the  first  time  was  honoured  by 
the  presence  of  its  redoubtable  landlord. 

Salaaming  until  his  tarboosh  reached  the  level  of  his 
knees,  the  inwardly  shaking  Achmed  stood  before  his 
two  guests. 

"  Hast  thou  naught  wherewith  to  entertain  thy  guests, 
0 !  Achmed,  or  must  they  perchance  pass  the  hours  in 
counting  the  flies  which  flit  about  the  none  too  clean 

i  Long  native  pipe. 

279 


280  DESERT  LOVE 

lamps?  Thinkest  thou  that  this  house  is  solely  a  roof 
to  shade  thy  head  from  the  sun,  or  perchance  is  it  a 
dwelling  of  comfort  for  those  who  pass  East  and  West  ?  " 

By  this  time  the  oriental's  head  was  bobbing  like  a 
mandarin's,  whilst  in  a  spasm  of  terror  his  mouth 
opened  and  shut  unceasingly. 

"  Find  thy  tongue,  O !  fool,  before  I  turn  thee  from 
the  door.  Hast  thou  aught  of  entertainment,  and  hast 
thou  other  than  this  mud  thou  callest  coffee?  Speak 
I  say!" 

With  a  gulp  which  served  to  clench  Hahmed's  fingers, 
the  wretched  Achmed  vowed  he  had  music  of  a  kind 
and  dancers  of  sorts,  and  that  at  that  moment  his  first 
wife  was  preparing  a  brew  surpassed  only  by  that  drunk 
in  the  Gardens  of  Delight  by  the  chosen  of  Allah,  who 
had  passed  to  their  well-earned  rest. 

"  Choose,  O !  my  guest !  doubtless  they  will  both  be 
as  forlorn  as  this  coffee,  for  which  I  crave  thy  forgive- 
ness —  our  business  is  at  an  end,  and  some  hours 
stretch  unendingly  before  us." 

Ali  'Assan,  dying  to  satisfy  his  cross-bred  inquisitive- 
ness  which,  with  the  curiosity  of  Egypt  entire,  had 
been  aroused  by  the  strange  rumours  of  some  catas- 
trophe happened  in  his  host's  household,  had  not  the 
slightest  desire  for  bed,  rather  would  he  have  sat  up 
for  an  entire  week  of  nights,  if  only  he  could  have  got 
an  inkling  of  the  truth;  so  he  plumped  for  music  and 
dancing  whilst  his  host  sat  motionless,  the  light  of  the 
hanging  lamps  throwing  strange  shadows  on  the  stern, 
relentless  face. 

Hahmed  the  Arab,  it  is  true,  sat  upon  the  cushions 
in  the  dingy  room;  you  would  have  certainly  touched 


DESERT  LOVE  281 

a  human  body  if  you  had  laid  a  hand  upon  his  arm, 
but  by  an  effort  of  will  which  left  him  sitting  absolutely 
motionless  with  half-closed  eyes,  he,  in  spite  of  the 
heat,  the  irritation  of  his  guest's  presence,  and  all  that 
went  to  make  the  evening  intolerable,  had  sent  his 
spirit,  or  soul,  or  what  you  will,  adrift,  searching  for 
his  beloved ;  so  unutterable  was  his  longing,  so  wracked 
was  his  heart  with  love,  so  utter  was  his  detachment, 
that  neither  piping  of  reed,  twanging  of  stringed  in- 
strument or  patter  of  feet  could  bring  him  back  to  his 
surroundings. 

And  then  under  some  unexplainable  impulse  Hahmed 
turned  his  head  slowly,  looking  across  the  shoulder  of 
his  guest  to  the  door  behind,  and  his  eyes  glowed  like 
fires  in  the  darkness  of  night  as  in  the  doorway  he 
saw  framed  the  face  of  her  for  whom  body  and  soul 
craved.  The  face  was  pale  even  unto  death,  but  the 
red  mouth  smiled  softly,  and  the  golden  curls  clustered 
and  twisted  as  they  had  ever  done;  the  blue  eyes  were 
wells  of  love,  in  which  the  Arab's  soul  sank  as  he 
called  though  his  lips  moved  not,  neither  was  there 
sound  of  words  in  the  room. 

"  Come  to  me,  beloved,  beloved!     Come  to  me!  " 

And  the  vision  faded,  and  Hahmed's  spirit  returned 
to  its  dwelling  as  a  faint  sigh  from  AH  'Assan  made 
him  remember  his  duty  towards  his  guest. 

The  Arab  does  not  indulge  in  nerves,  though  Allah 
only  knows  how  long  it  will  be  before  he  resorts  to 
bromide  if  he  continues  to  fraternise  with  the  Euro- 
pean, but  Hahmed,  unknown  to  himself,  was  suffering 
from  the  almost  unendurable  strain  of  the  past  endless 
empty  days. 


282  DESERT  LOVE 

He  was  consumed  with  thirst  for  his  beloved,  agon- 
ising with  hunger  for  his  heart's  desire,  forcing  him- 
self to  do  business  in  out-of-the-way  places  in  his  land 
so  as  to  keep  his  thoughts  from  the  exquisite  face  of  his 
own  woman. 

True,  he  could  have  stayed  in  Cairo,  and  waited  for 
further  news  of  her ;  true,  he  could  have  seized  her  and 
carried  her  forcibly  back  to  his  own  lands,  but  the  pride 
of  centuries  raged  within  him,  and  until  she  came  back 
of  her  own  free  will  he  would  neither  move  hand  nor 
foot  to  compel  her. 

Anyway,  let  us  put  the  following  episode  down  to 
the  months  of  strain  culminating  in  an  intense  irrita- 
tion wrought  by  the  babble  of  Ali  'Assan's  meaningless 
chatter,  and  the  vileness  perhaps  of  the  coffee. 

He  lifted  his  eyes  and  looked  at  the  picture  before 
him. 

The  rcom  was  low,  and  the  lighting  bad,  the  air 
suffocating,  whilst  a  few  particles  of  sand  blown  in  by 
the  hot  wind  heralded  an  approaching  storm. 

Standing  before  him  with  a  piece  of  tawdry  gauze 
about  her  quite  unprepossessing  form  stood  the  over 
aged  dancer  with  a  set  simper  upon  her  silly  vacant 
face. 

"  Allah !  "  ejaculated  Hahmed,  as  he  lit  a  cigarette, 
whilst  Achmed,  peeping  through  the  door,  suddenly 
smote  his  forehead. 

Now  dancing  women  were  no  more  to  the  great  man 
than  a  troupe  of  performing  collies,  but  his  artistic 
sense  demanded  the  best,  and  when  it  was  not  forth- 
coming he  felt  the  same  annoyance  as  you  or  I  would 
feel  if  arrayed  in  purple  and  fine  linen  we  adorned  a 


DESEET  LOVE  283 

box  at  the  opera  with  our  presence,  covered  with  as 
many  diamonds  upon  it  as  possible,  to  find  a  street 
singer  deputising  for  a  Melba  or  Caruso. 

"  Thou  dog,"  he  said  pleasantly  to  the  cringing  man, 
who  tremblingly  explained  that  indeed  he  had  one  bet- 
ter—  yea,  even  fair  to  look  upon.  "Behold,  if  thou 
oiferest  yet  another  insult  to  this  mine  guest  I  will 
have  thee  and  thy  woman  whipped  into  the  desert  and 
left  to  die." 

Whereupon  Achmed  fled  precipitately  in  the  wake  of 
her  who  had  annoyed,  and  snatching  a  whip  beat  her 
smartly  on  her  plump  but  ill-formed  shoulders,  the 
while  he  urged  the  prima  ballerina  of  the  establishment 
to  anoint  herself  and  depart  right  quickly  to  the  pacify- 
ing of  the  great  Hahmed,  which  order,  alas,  put  a 
totally  wrong  idea  into  her  Tunisian-Arabian  pate. 


CHAPTER  LI 

LA  BELLE,  a  rank  cross-breed  of  Tunisian  and  French 
with  a  dash  of  Arabian,  was  the  one  good  part  of  a 
bad  debt  which  had  overwhelmed  Achmed  when  he  had 
inadvertently  over-reached  himself. 

Her  body  was  passable,  lithe,  sinewy,  with  a  faint 
hint  of  rib  and  a  wonderful  bust ;  her  brain  was  good, 
intuitive  in  its  non-educated  state,  and  subtle  from  in- 
heritance; her  ambition  was  superb,  it  knew  no  limits, 
it  saw  no  obstacle. 

Born  in  a  kennel  in  Tunis,  she  had  figuratively  and 
literally  fought  her  way  to  the  upper  reaches  of  the 
gutter,  sleeping  in  filth,  eating  it,  listening  to  it,  living 
it;  dancing  for  a  meal,  selling  her  strangely  seductive 
body  for  a  piastre  or  so,  settling  her  quarrels  with  a 
knife  she  carried  in  her  coarse,  crisp,  henna-dyed  hair, 
with  one  goal  before  her  slanting  orange  eyes,  that  of 
dancer  in  chief,  prima  ballerina,  or  what  you  will,  in 
some  house  of  good  repute;  the  explanation  of  which 
phrase  would  overtax  my  oriental  knowldge  I  fear. 

Dance  she  could,  if  dancing  is  the  correct  term  for 
the  subtle  portraying  of  every  conceivable  vice  by  every 
conceivable  gesture  and  posture;  and  she  had  felt  her- 
self content  on  the  day  she  had  for  a  good  round  sum 
sold  herself  to  take  up  a  dancing  position  of  some  im- 
portance in  the  house  of  him  who,  unknown  to  her,  had 
got  himself  entangled  in  more  than  one  human  money- 
spider's  web. 

284 


DESERT  LOVE  285 

If  her  dancing  was  correct  or  not,  men  had  begun  to 
foregather  in  the  house,  where  —  if  her  temper  allowed 
—  she  would  dance  o'  nights  fully  clothed  or  fully  un- 
clothed; also  her  reputation  was  beginning  to  be  used 
as  a  lure  to  the  uninitiated  freshly  arrived  in  Cairo, 
therefore  her  usually  fiendish  temper  was  as  hell  un- 
loosed when,  as  part  payment  of  a  debt,  she  found  her- 
self willy-nilly  strapped  to  a  camel  and  carted  by  slow 
stages  to  the  house  of  rest  whose  proprietor  was  Achmed, 
and  landlord  Hahmed,  the  Camel  King. 

"  Dance  I  will  not,  thou  descendant  of  pigs,"  she 
stormed  at  Achmed,  who,  reducing  his  fez  to  a  pulp, 
raved  at  her  as  she  crouched  in  a  corner  with  something 
a-glitter  in  her  hand.  "  Send  in  thy  wife  who  ambles 
like  a  camel  in  foal,  and  whose  ankles  are  thick  enough 
to  serve  as  prop  to  a  falling  house." 

"  Thou  fool,"  hissed  the  man  with  sweat  pouring 
down  his  face,  and  who  through  the  working  of  his 
oriental  mind  already  felt  the  swish  of  the  whip  about 
his  shoulders,  and  the  agony  of  the  desert  fly's  bite  on 
his  flagellated  anatomy.  "It  is  Hahmed  —  the  great 
Hahmed,  who  orders  thee  to  his  presence.  It  is  thy 
chance,  thou  fool  —  it  is — " 

And  his  dull  eyes  brightened,  and  his  sensual  month 
widened  in  a  grin  as  the  girl  sprang  to  her  feet  and 
sped  to  a  mirror  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  room. 

"'  Dullard,"  she  cried,  as  she  pulled  her  clothing 
furiously  from  her,  and  stood  with  nothing  but  a  plain 
coloured  shawl  of  gauze  covered  in  tinsel  twined  about 
her  slim  waist,  "  why  hast  thou  wasted  precious  mo- 
ments ?  Why  has  thou  imperilled  my  chance  by  in- 
furiating the  great  man  ?  Out  of  my  way,  thou  snail." 


286  DESERT  LOVE 

And  as  she  fled  precipitately  from  the  room  she 
caught  the  man  by  the  throat  and  flung  him  against  the 
wall  with  the  ease  of  muscle  trained  to  the  last  point. 

"  Ow !  "  exclaimed  AH  'Assan  at  the  apparition  in 
the  doorway  with  the  flaming  henna  head  and  taut 
brown  body,  with  long,  thin,  brown  arms  stretched 
down  stiff  as  ramrods  to  the  sides,  and  "  Ow !  "  he 
said  again,  as  she  suddenly  moved  and  again  stood  still 
with  the  gleaming  orange  eyes  fixed  on  his  host,  who 
looked  at  her  for  an  instant,  and  looked  away  again  to 
the  far  corner,  as  he  indifferently  lit  a  cigarette. 

And  then  La  Belle  danced  for  all  she  was  worth,  and 
for  all  she  knew,  whilst  the  guest  watched  in  sensual 
enjoyment,  and  the  host  took  not  the  slightest  notice. 

Nearer  she  came,  and  nearer  still,  until  the  pungent 
odour  of  the  insufferable  Eastern  perfume  of  which  the 
body  is  musk,  suddenly  struck  the  nostrils  of  the  man 
for  whom  she  danced,  bringing  a  slight  frown  to  his 
face,  and  causing  him  to  thoughtlessly  raise  his  right 
hand,  which,  as  perhaps  the  reader  may  not  know,  is 
an  oriental  sign  of  appreciation. 

A  flash  of  triumph  swept  across  the  face  of  the 
woman,  who  was  absolutely  on  the  wrong  tack,  as  she 
sidled  so  near  that  her  bare  limbs  almost  touched  the 
flowing  cloak  which  swept  round  the  man.  His  mind 
was  full  of  his  exquisite,  delicate,  tantalising,  fastidious 
wife,  his  body  ached  for  her,  his  soul  fainted  for  even 
a  touch  of  her  little  hand,  so  that  once  again  he  raised 
his  right  hand  as  though  to  sweep  away  some  pesti- 
lential insect  from  his  path,  just  one  little  careless 
gesture  which  proved  a  woman's  undoing. 

Back  bent  La  Belle,  and  still  farther  back  until  her 


DESEKT  LOVE  287 

evil  face  was  on  a  level  with  that  of  the  man  she  wad 
trying  to  subjugate,  and  when  for  an  instant  his  eyes 
rested  on  hers,  which  peered  at  him  from  the  strange 
angle  of  her  upside  down  position,  she  whispered  one 
little  word. 

And  then  a  great  fury  suddenly  blazed  in  Hahmed's 
eyes,  a  sudden  storm  of  hate  swept  across  the  stern 
face,  as  his  hand  steel  strong  closed  fiercely  about  the 
long  thin  neck. 

"  Thou  daughter  of  gutter  dogs,"  he  whispered,  so 
low  that  the  words  were  hardly  caught  by  Ali  'Assan, 
who  with  fingers  twining  uncontrollably  in  his  white 
garment,  sat  petrified  by  the  suddenly  arisen  storm. 
"  Thou  essence  of  evil,  go  back  to  the  devil  who  spawned 
thee." 

There  was  a  choked  gurgling  cry  as  the  hand  closed 
tighter,  a  little  click  like  the  closing  of  a  safe  door, 
and  the  body  of  the  dead  woman  was  hurled  into  the 
middle  of  the  room,  whilst  Hahmed  lit  a  cigarette  and 
clapped  his  hands  for  the  presence  of  Achmed,  who, 
his  legs  refusing  to  support  his  shaking  body,  crawled 
in  on  his  hands  and  knees. 

"  Carry  that  carrion  out,  0 !  thou  trafficker  in  evil, 
and  throw  it  to  the  jackals." 

"  Master,  O !  master !  May  the  light  of  Allah  shine 
upon  thee  in  thy  wisdom,  may  the  houris  of  paradise 
make  thy  couch  one  of  delight  when  thou  art  gathered 
to  thy  forefathers !  In  all  ignorance  I  sent  yon  ignoble 
female  to  dance  before  my  honoured  guest  —  a  great 
price  I  paid  for  her  in  the  market." 

"  Thou  liest,"  gently  replied  his  master. 

Whereupon  Achmed  gathered  good  handfuls  of  dust 


288  DESERT  LOVE 

from  the  floor  and  massaged  it  into  his  oily  hair,  whilst 
Hahmed,  rising  to  his  great  height,  prayed  forgiveness 
from  his  guest,  who  was  even  then  thinking  what  a 
waste  of  good  material  the  dead  woman  represented. 

"  Let  this  serve  thee  as  a  lesson,  thou  perverter  of 
Allah's  truth,"  spake  Hahmed,  in  a  voice  as  caressing 
as  that  of  a  woman,  "  and  teach  thee  to  acquire  prop- 
erty which  does  honour  to  thy  house.  Camels,  a  male 
and  female,  shall  be  sent  in  payment  for  that  for  which 
thou  hast  not  paid  one  piastre. 

"  Breed  with  them  so  that  the  milk  refreshes  the 
traveller,  and  the  hair  spins  soft  covering  for  their  bed, 
and  fail  me  not  again,  for  behold  when  I  strike  it  is  as 
the  lightning  which  blasts,  the  tree." 

And  the  two  men  stalked  silently  from  the  scene  of 
the  tragedy,  leaving  Achmed  rubbing  his  hands  in  glee, 
with  intervals  of  removing  particles  of  dust  from  his 
eyes  and  mouth,  whilst  his  virago  of  a  first  wife  ambled 
in  to  ascertain  the  proceeds  of  the  evening,  an  account 
of  which  caused  her  to  raise  dirty  hands  to  heaven  and 
praise  Allah,  before  she  ambled  out  again,  contemp- 
tuously kicking  the  dead  body  en  passant,  which  action 
nearly  upset  the  equilibrium  of  her  cumbersome  body, 
as  she  hastened  to  summon  the  help  necessary  to  lift 
and  carry  to  the  jackals  the  body  of  La  Belle  who  had 
missed  her  chance. 


CHAPTER  LII 

THE  full  moon  shone  down  on  the  scene,  which  surely 
had  not  changed  since  the  wise  men  of  the  East  —  led 
by  a  star  —  came  to  find  a  Babe. 

The  palms  swayed  slightly  in  a  faint  breeze,  the  sand 
stretched  a  restful  grey,  and  there  was  no  sound  what- 
ever save  the  faint  ripple  of  the  life-giving  stream  sing- 
ing its  way  through  the  oasis.  Neither  was  there  sign 
of  human  life  excepting  the  figure  of  an  Arab  stand- 
ing as  if  carved  in  bronze  in  the  black  shadow  of  the 
palms.  Immobile,  with  arms  folded  he  stood,  eyes  in- 
tent on  the  road  leading  to  civilisation,  watching  and 
waiting,  as  he  had  watched  and  waited  through  many 
a  night  until  dawn. 

"  Allah !  "  and  the  words  were  indistinguishable  from 
the  brook's  murmuring.  "  God  of  all,  send  her  back 
to  me.  Behold !  with  patience  I  have  waited  these  last 
long  months  —  and  yet  would  I  wait  even  until  death 
—  for  thou,  O !  Allah,  in  Thy  greatness  hast  allowed  me 
dimly  to  understand  this  woman's  mind  —  my  woman, 
my  heritage  of  all  time. 

"  The  Eastern  night  will  draw  her  back,  as  surely  as 
the  moon  will  make  a  silvery  path  for  her  return;  for 
she  has  but  tried  her  soft  white  wings,  and  I  have  no 
fear  that  she  will  have  sullied  them  in  her  flight. 

"  But  this  time,  this  time  there  shall  be  no  escape." 

The  long  brown  hand  stretched  out  as  if  to  seize  and 

289 


290  DESEET  LOVE 

hold,  the  slender  fingers  closed  gently,  but  with  a  grip 
of  steel,  as  though  upon  the  whiteness  of  some  woman's 
throat. 

"  When  she  comes  back  my  wife,"  continued  the 
voice,  as  the  moon  slowly  swung  up  to  her  throne, 
blinding  in  her  power  the  million  twinkling  eyes  that 
had  watched  for  her  coming.  "  Yet,  when  she  comes 
it  will  be  for  very  love  of  me,  her  lover,  and  for  love  of 
the  night  and  the  scent  of  the  dawn,  for  the  stillness  of 
the  dusk,  and  the  longing  to  lay  her  pure  whiteness  at 
rest  within  my  arms." 

And  then  he  threw  his  hands  heavenwards  with  a 
great  cry. 

"  Allah,  be  praised !  Oh  Allah,  unto  thee  I  give 
thanks." 

And  sank  upon  his  knees,  touching  the  sand  with 
his  forehead,  and  rising  with  hands  outstretched  strode 
quickly  to  the  clump  of  palms  near  the  gate  in  the  wall 
surrounding  Jill's  dwelling,  to  meet  three  camels  stalk- 
ing upon  the  road  leading  from  civilisation  towards 
him ;  one  golden-brown  with  a  closed  palanquin  swaying 
upon  its  back,  the  others  dark  brown,  one  laden  with 
great  skins,  almost  empty  of  water,  and  bundles  of 
every  size  and  description,  the  other  mounted  by  the 
head  keeper  of  camels,  who,  having  brought  the  animals 
to  their  knees,  ran  to  his  master  and  knelt  before  him 
with  his  mouth  open  as  though  to  speak,  and  a  look  of 
wracking  anxiety  and  indecision  upon  his  usually  im- 
perturbable countenance. 

But  a  slight  motion  of  his  master's  hand  sent  him 
hurriedly  towards  the  servants'  quarters,  where  he  was 
received  by  scores  of  his  own  kind  simply  bursting  with 


DESERT  LOVE  291 

euriosity,  whilst  Hahmed  silently  held  out  his  hands 
to  help  Jill  from  the  palanquin. 

She  stumbled  badly  as  her  feet  touched  the  ground, 
and  bit  on  a  cry  as  the  man's  strong  hand  caught  and 
steadied  her  as  she  stood  swaying  slightly. 

"  Remove  thy  veil  for  I  fain  would  see  what  winds 
have  blown  upon  thee !  " 

The  little  figure,  wrapped  in  countless  yards  of  the 
IBoft  purple  satin  habarah,  recoiled  a  step  as  the  words 
fell  with  the  hiss  of  icy  water  upon  red  hot  steel;  a 
little  nervous  laugh  rising  like  thin  vapour  on  the 
strained  atmosphere. 

"  And  so  the  great  Hahmed  would  expose  the  face  of 
his  wife  to  the  driver  of  camels !  Behold,  has  his  pride 
fallen." 

And  she  continued  with  the  sharp  edge  of  an  ap- 
proaching nerve  storm  in  her  voice. 

"  Methinks  it  would  be  better  for  him  to  send  his 
fleetest  camel  to  the  great  city,  and  bid  it  wait  without 
the  house  of  the  Blue  Door,  wherein  are  to  be  found 
those  who,  unveiled  and  unashamed,  will  come  and 
dance  upon  the  sand  before  such  men  as  —  yon  camel 
driver !  " 

A  slight  sound  of  tearing  silk  and  the  scented  veil 
lay  in  Hahmed's  hands,  whilst  the  great  moon  threw 
its  rays  mercilessly  on  the  little  face. 

Deep  purple  rings  made  the  eyes  seem  twice  their 
size,  the  nose  looked  pinched,  the  mouth  slightly 
twisted,  whilst  great  drops  from  the  damp  brow  fell 
upon  the  silk  covering  she  held  heaped  up  around  her. 

"Allah!"  ejaculated  Hahmed,  as  he  looked  and 
looked  again.  "  Methinks  the  winds  have  been  ill  which 


292  DESERT  "LOVE 

have  blown  upon  thee.  Thou  lookest  stricken  unto 
death  —  and  I  know  not  how,  but  thou  hast  changed 
inconceivably  —  thou  art  shorter.  No !  I  know  not 
what  it  is,  but  hearken. 

"  Thou  hast  filled  my  cup  of  endurance,  O !  woman, 
to  the  brim.  Yea !  until  the  drops  of  bitterness  have 
overflowed  and  fallen  upon  the  sands,  but  now  thou 
art  come  back,  rather  than  let  thee  go  I  would  drive 
this  dagger  through  thy  heart. 

"  Fear  not  that  I  will  pass  uncalled  the  silken  hang- 
ings of  thy  chamber,  or  force  upon  thee  the  sweet  title 
of  wife  which  against  my  wish  thou  hast  so  long  dis- 
dained, but  thou  art  my  prisoner.  If  love  could  not 
bind  thee  to  me,  then  shall  care  be  taken  that  thou 
strayest  not  again  from  thy  home. 

"  Thy  body  woman  has  orders  to  come  to  thee  only 
when  I  command  her  to  do  so,  though  such  is  her  love 
for  thee  that  she  beats  her  shrivelled  body  in  despair 
at  thy  absence,  and  is  like  to  die  for  weariness  of  thy 
empty  chamber.  So  when  thou  wilt  retire,  if  perchance 
the  silken  ribbon  of  thy  raiment  has  become  knotted, 
there  are  no  hands  but  these  to  the  unravelling  of  the 
mysteries  of  thy  toilet. 

"  If  thou  hast  need  of  me,  thou  needest  but  call  me, 
and  I  will  speed  to  thy  bidding,  for  behold!  I  will  lay 
across  thy  portal,  as  I  have  lain  these  many  moons 
since  thy  nest  has  been  without  the  bird  for  whom  it 
was  my  pleasure  to  build." 

For  a  moment  fell  a  mighty  silence  between  the  two, 
broken  only  by  the  stream  which  hurried  past  them  OB 
its  way  to  the  great  green  Nile. 


DESERT  LOVE 

Not  a  frond  stirred.,  neither  did  the  breeze  even  move 
the  multitudinous  folds  of  Jill's  raiment. 

Frees  the  West  the  sand  swept  up  to  her  feet,  and  a? 
for  as  eye  could  see  to  the  East  it  stretched. 

Slowly  she  turned  and  looked  at  the  motionless  figure 
under  the  palms,  then  silently  she  held  out  her  hands 
with  a  little  movement  of  utter  submission,  as  a  sound, 
twixt  a  sob  and  a  moan,  fell  gently  on  the  soft  air. 

For  one  long  moment  they  looked  across  the  sand  at 
each  other,  these  two  who  had  been  tried  to  their  ut- 
most limit,  and  then  the  man  was  at  her  feet,  with 
flimsy  veil  held  in  his  hands.  Lower  he  bent  and  lower, 
as  his  white  cloak  swept  out  on  each  side  of  the  girl 
like  great  protecting  wings,  as  catching  the  hem  of  her 
dress  he  raised  it  to  his  forehead,  and  then  rising  to 
fasten  the  veil  before  her  face,  led  her  by  the  hand  to 
*he  door  of  her  dwelling,  pulling  back  the  white  silk 
jnrtain  for  her  to  pasa. 


CHAPTER  LIII 

A  VERY  ecstasy  of  love  radiated  upon  the  Arab's  face 
as  he  stood  behind  Jill,  who  in  amazement  stopped  dead 
on  the  threshold. 

Beautiful  her  many  rooms  had  been,  but  none  to 
compare  with  the  snow-white  beauty  of  this.  Great 
white  Persian  rugs  with  faint  tracings  worked  in  gold 
and  silver  lay  upon  the  white  marble  of  the  floor ;  white 
cushions,  with  little  corner  gold  and  silver  tassels,  lay 
piled  upon  a  great  divan  raised  a  foot  on  ivory  feet 
above  the  floor,  and  half  hidden  behind  white  damask 
curtains  hanging  from  a  finely  wrought  arch  carved  out 
of  creamy  stretches  of  ivory  held  together  with  gold 
and  silver  clasps  of  rare  workmanship. 

Stools  of  ivory,  and  one  great  perfect  chair,  made  of 
innumerable  tusks  with  each  tip  blunted  by  a  ball  of 
crystal,  shone  in  the  dim  light  cast  by  the  hanging 
lamps,  which  drew  countless  rays  from  the  four  foun- 
tains playing  in  the  four  corners.  Bibelots,  jewelled 
boxes,  rare  books  in  rare  age-dulled  covers,  things  of 
use  and  things  of  luxury  lay  in  every  corner,  and  yet  so 
big  was  the  room  that  it  gave  Jill  an  infinitely  refresh- 
ing feeling  of  space  as  she  walked  slowly  through  to 
another  one,  leading  out  from  the  far  side,  where  crys- 
tal and  ivory  gleamed  from  low  tables,  and  full  length 
mirrors  reflected  the  water  in  the  Roman  bath  over 
•which  hung  flowering  plants  scenting  the  air  from  the 
great  gold  and  white  cups,  whilst  two  snow-white  doves 

294 


DESERT  LOVE  295 

cooed  to  each  other  in  a  silver  cage  at  the  approach  of 
the  coming  dawn. 

"  So  would  I  have  it  for  my  —  ah !  "  Hahmed 

•topped  suddenly,  as  with  a  little  cry  the  girl  falling 
forward  clutched  frantically  at  his  fine  white  clothing, 
tearing  it  in  many  places  under  her  weight, 

"  Woman  —  wife,  art  thou  stricken  with  fear  of  him 
who  loves  thee  —  Allah !  That  I  should  have  lived  to 
see  thy  face  distorted  in  anguish  in  my  presence.  I 
spoke  in  anger,  O !  my  heart,  but  my  wrath  waxeth 
faint  within  me  in  thy  beloved  presence,"  and  speaking 
soft  words  of  love  he  raised  her  in  his  arms,  causing 
the  voluminous  mantle  which  she  held  so  closely  about 
her  to  slip  from  her  shoulders  to  the  ground. 

Speechless  she  stood  before  him  with  her  hands  be- 
fore her  face,  and  speechless  stood  Hahmed,  as,  hold- 
ing her  at  arm's  length,  he  gazed  upon  his  woman, 
gazed  until  a  great  tremor  suddenly  shook  him. 

For  behold  he  saw  that  the  glory  of  womanhood  had 
descended  upon  her,  and  that  her  hour  was  nigh. 

"  Allah !  "  he  whispered,  as  he  gently  drew  her  into 
his  arms.  "  Thou  art  with  child,  O !  my  beloved.  Why 
was  I  not  stricken  blind  for  this  my  senseless  folly  ? 
Why  was  I  not  stricken  dumb  for  those  my  words  of 
wrath  spoken  to  iJiee,  thou  tree  bearing  the  fruit  of 
love  ?  Oh !  glory  be  to  Allah  in  this  most  wonderful 
thing." 

He  picked  her  up,  and  carrying  her  into  the  first 
room,  laid  her  upon  the  divan  and  knelt  beside  her  with 
her  hand  against  his  mouth  whilst  she  whispered  to 
him  the  great,  the  everlastingly  wonderful  and  new 
tidings  of  the  coming  of  her  babe. 


296  DESERT  LOVE 

"  Oh,  dearest  of  men  and  most  little  understanding. 
Truly  it  is  that  within  me  I  hold  thy  great  gift.  How 
was  it  thou  didst  not  guess  when  I  no  longer  raced 
thee  across  the  sands  upon  my  horse,  or  sprang  to  the 
ground  to  greet  thee  on  my  return. 

"  And  even  when  my  moods  changed  even  as  chang- 
eth  the  colour  of  the  sands,  even  then,  dear  heart,  thou 
didst  not  guess;  and  I  in  my  foolish  woman's  way 
was  contrary,  and  could  not  even  then  be  sure  that  my 
happiness  lay  here  in  the  desert.  And  so  I  left  thee,  to 
try  thee  and  myself,  and  not  until  I  could  no  longer 

see  thee,  and  have  speech  with  thee,  did  I 

Hahmed !  Ah,  beloved !  Nay,  'tis  nothing  —  it  can 
be  nothing  —  because  two  moons  have  yet  to  rise  and 
wane  before  —  ah,  and  yet  —  maybe  —  maybe  the 
journey,  although  not  tedious,  has  brought  about  my 
happiness  before  its  time.  Beloved,  I " 

With  eyes  alight,  with  a  great  pride  and  face  aglow 
with  tenderness,  Hahmed  bent  and  kissed  the  little 
agonised  face. 

"  I  go  one  instant,  Queen  of  Women,  to  bid  thy  body 
woman  come,  she,  praise  be  to  Allah,  being  well  versed 
in  the  mighty  miracle  of  birth. 

"  She  will  tend  thee  with  the  tenderness  of  a  mother, 
and  the  skill  of  the  greatest  doctor  in  the  land. 

"  Fret  not,  beloved,  I  am  gone  but  for  one  moment." 

Jill  lay  silent,  and  then  smiled  sweetly  as  out  of  the 
shadows  ran  a  little  hunchback  figure  who  stood  with- 
out word,  for  a  moment  gazing  with  love-laden  eyes  at 
the  white  woman,  then  kneeling  suddenly,  kissed  the 
cushion  upon  which  rested  the  girl's  dainty  feet. 

For  half  an  hour  Jill  submitted  to  the  adoring  little 


DESEKT  LOVE  297 

woman's  ministrations,  who  made  water  to  splash,  and 
scented  the  air  with  aromatic  perfume,  and  spread 
white  loose  gowns  and  softest  linens  before  her  mistress 
for  her  choice. 

"  Leave  me,  Ameena,  now,"  whispered  Jill,  and  she 
was  alone  with  the  golden  glory  of  her  hair  falling 
about  her,  as  she  pressed  her  hands  against  her  mouth, 
until  uncontrollably  and  insistently  her  cry  for  her 
master  tore  the  air. 

"  Hahmed !     Ah,  Hahmed !     Come  to  me !  " 

And  he  was  beside  her. 

The  Arab  had  faced  death  more  than  once,  had  wit- 
nessed things  unmoved  which  had  served  to  freeze  the 
very  blood  of  others ;  but  never  had  he  heard  such  a  cry 
as  this  which  cleft  the  shadows  in  the  room. 

Great  drops  of  sweat  shone  upon  his  forehead  as  he 
stooped  above  the  couch,  his  strong  white  teeth  biting 
into  his  under  lip. 

Swiftly  he  crossed  the  room,  pulling  back  the  silken 
curtain  which  served  as  a  door,  leaving  an  opening 
through  which  the  dying  moon  struck  a  mighty  silver 
spear. 

And  as  swiftly  he  passed  out  into  the  gardens  scented 
with  sweet  flowers,  a  little  gate  in  the  wall  swinging 
back  at  his  touch,  through  which  he  sped  on  and  on  to 
the  great  plains  of  his  beloved  desert. 

It  was  the  hour  before  the  dawn,  and  turning  in  the 
direction  of  Mecca  he  prayed,  and  the  prayer  finished, 
advanced  yet  another  twenty  yards  and,  divesting  him- 
self of  his  cloak,  laid  it  upon  the  ground,  and  then 
turning,  sped  back  to  his  woman  who  honoured  him  be- 
fore all  men. 


298  DESEET  LOVE 

A  little  breeze  heralding  the  coming  dawn  blew  the 
silken  curtains  gently  to  and  fro  as  the  man  knelt  be- 
side the  low  divan. 

"  Hahmed !  the  hour  strikes  —  I  am  afraid  —  I  — 
oh!  Hahmed,  I  cannot  see  they  face,  beloved." 

Two  little  white  hands  sought  and  grasped  the  strong 
ones  held  out  to  help,  for  through  the  faint  voice  had 
crept  a  note  of  fear. 

But  even  though  the  little  teeth  had  bit  until  red 
drops  of  blood  had  spilled  from  her  mouth  on  to  the 
white  cushion,  the  great  eyes  smiled  up  into  the  man's 
tortured  face  as  he  bent  closer  to  the  golden  head. 

"  Harken !  Woman  of  women,  thou  who  bringest 
honour  unto  me,  in  this  thou  shalt  please  thyself,  for 
art  thou  not  in  this  moment  a  very  queen,  and  I  but  a 
slave  at  thy  feet. 

"  Behold  is  it  the  custom  of  my  tribe,  dwellers  of 
the  desert,  children  of  the  sand,  that  the  woman  give 
birth  to  her  first-born  upon  the  very  sand  of  this  mighty 
desert. 

"  !N"ot  upon  couch  and  silken  cloth  does  the  first- 
born draw  its  breath,  but  upon  the  sand  with  the  desert 
wind  upon  his  little  head. 

"  I  have  no  command  for  thee,  beloved,  because  thou 
art  of  the  West,  where  different  customs  rule,  and  I  — 
I  mind  not  —  for  my  love  for  thee  is  above  all  custom, 
and  all  manner  and  fashioning  of  mankind!  Choose 
then  and  I  am  satisfied !  " 

Once  again  two  little  hands  shone  dimly  as  they 
were  raised,  searching  blindly. 

"  Take  me  into  thy  arms,  beloved,  and  carry  me  to 
the  desert  sand,  for  behold,  thy  will  is  my  will  and  my 


DESERT  LOVE  299 

ways  are  henceforth  thy  ways!  But  hasten!  for  the 
moment  is  at  hand.  Hold  me  in  thy  strength  for  I 
faint!" 

Tenderly  the  great  man  stooped  and  gathered  the 
girl  to  his  breast.  Swiftly  he  crossed  the  threshold, 
and  passing  through  the  gate  gently  laid  her  down 
upon  his  mantle,  stretched  upon  the  ground. 

The  wind  of  dawn  blew  the  stars  out  one  by  one,  the 
great  plains  of  sand  changed  from  purple  to  steel,  to 
grey,  to  yellow. 

The  palms  whispered  gently  together,  the  water  sang 
on  its  swift  way  to  the  river,  a  faint  movement  every- 
where heralded  the  coming  of  the  day. 

Motionless,  Hahmed  knelt  beside  Jill,  whose  snow- 
white  face,  half-ridden  in  the  folds  of  cloth,  looked 
like  some  faint  spring  flower  in  a  world  of  shadows. 

And  then,  as  the  woman  whose  unbound  hair  rippled 
in  golden  streams  about  the  Arab's  feet,  put  out  her 
hands  to  grasp  her  master's  robe,  a  long-drawn  cry 
which  spoke  of  pain  and  joy,  death  and  ecstasy  and  Life, 
crept  over  the  sands,  rising,  rising  to  the  very  heavens, 
to  sink  back  in  faintest  moan  to  her  who  in  that  mo- 
ment had  fulfilled  the  miracle  of  Love. 

A  hush  fell  upon  the  earth,  a  mighty  stillness  upon 
those  two. 

And  then ! 

A  little  sound,  soft  as  a  bird's  call  at  dawn,  broke 
the  silence  of  the  sands ! 

And  at  the  little  sound  the  man  sprang  upright,  with 
hands  and  blazing  eyes  upraised  to  heaven. 

And  as  he  stood  towering  over  the  motionless  woman 


300  DESERT  LOVE 

at  his  feet,  the  sound  of  rejoicing  was  great  in  the 
land;  for  over  the  yellow  sand,  tearing  apart  the  last 
dim  shadows  of  the  night,  up  struck  the  sun's  first 
golden  shaft,  and  as  it  spread,  piling  gold  upon  red,  and 
red  upon  gold,  across  the  great  plains  and  up  to  the 
very  highest  of  high  heaven  thundered  the  Mohamme- 
dan's tumultuous,  triumphant  hymn  of  praise. 

"La  Allah  ilia  Allah!    Muhammed  rasul  Allah!" 


THE    END 


Pamela  Wynne 

The  charm  of  her  books  is  the  charm  of 
unconquerable  passion. 

Have  you  missed  any  of  these? 

THE  DREAM  MAN. 

The  girl  who  lived  her  life  in  dreams  met  her  Dream 
Mart-— handsome,  titled,  but  crippled.  In  her  devotion 
to  him  she  comes  to  strange  adventures.  A  Hindu 
Prince,  making  love  to  her  insidiously,  makes  her 
realize  the  full  measure  of  her  real  love.  A  whirlwind 
climax. 

ASHES  OF  DESIRE. 

To  escape  marrying  the  elderly  nobleman  selected  by 
her  mother,  a  girl  of  courage,  aflame  with  romance, 
disguises  herself  as  a  young  man  and  takes  passage  on 
an  ocean  liner.  She  finds  adventure,  peril,  and  ro- 
mance in  far  corners  of  the  earth. 

CONCEALED  TURNINGS. 

Disturbed  by  the  awakening  of  strange  passions. 
Hazel  Anson  becomes  bewildered  by  the  concealed 
turnings  in  the  path  she  thought  was  straight.  She 
tries  to  free  herself  from  dangerous  experiences,  but 
she  can  be  rescued  only  by  a  surrender  to  a  great  love. 

PENELOPE  FINDS  OUT. 

Penelope  is  no  stay-at-home,  coy  maiden.  She  is  eager 
to  find  out  the  ways  of  the  world,  and  her  curiosity 
leads  her  to  some  bitter  experience.  Yet  there  is  high 
adventure  before  she  is  overtaken  by  sudden,  surprising 
love  at  a  mysterious  turning  point  of  her  life.  The 
electrifying  truths  that  she  discovers  are  worth  all 
her  thrilling  adventures. 

Macaulay  Publishers  New  York 


Joan  Conquest 

The  Story-Teller  of  the  East 

Will  Hold  You  Spell-Bound  With 
These  Novels 

CHASTITY. 

A  revelation  of  Oriental  ideas  of  chastity  that  con- 
flict with  more  familiar  ones  held  by  the  white  people 
living  in  the  East.  The  theme  of  a  woman's  greatest 
sacrifice  is  given  a  new  turn — what  she  will  sacrifice 
to  save  the  man  she  loves  from  death  and  disaster. 

FORBIDDEN. 

Rosalie,  rich  in  life  and  youth,  knowing  little  of  the 
East's  cunning  in  love  and  lust,  is  drawn  into  a  snare, 
where  two  fine  souls  struggle  against  the  unwritten 
law  that  thunders— FORBIDDEN. 

DESERT  LOVE. 

A  girl  alone  on  the  desert  with  a  man  whose  word 
was  law.  And  yet  he  was  her  slave,  for  he  would  ask 
nothing  of  her  until  she  loved  him  and  called  for  him. 
This  was  his  promise.  What  became  of  it?  Let  Joan 
Conquest  tell  you. 

THE  HAWK  OF  EGYPT. 

An  exotic  story  of  the  love-madness  with  which  Egypt 
drugs  the  souls  of  men  and  women.  The  author  again 
brushes  aside  the  curtains  of  conventionality.  Once 
more  her  love  theme  overwhelms  with  its  intensity,  its 
madness,  and  its  pathos. 

CRUMBLING  WALLS. 

A  Chinese  Romeo  and  Juliet  in  modern  China  filled 
with  unrest.  An  enchanting  love  story,  rich  with  the 
incense  of  the  Orient  and  tense  with  amorous  char- 
acters in  an  exotic  world  awakening  to  the  promise  of 
civilization. 

Macaulay  Publishers  New  York 


Unveiling  the  wayward 
modern  family 

Unchastened 
Youth 

by  Jean  Devanny 

In  the  intimate  life  of  the  modern  family  there  is  a 
clash  of  feelings  and  ideas  between  parents  and  child- 
ren, a  clash  between  family  life  and  the  individual's 
impulse  to  live  his  or  her  own  life.  Is  it  possible  to  have 
a  good  time  and  still  preserve  the  family  .bonds? 

In  this  thoughtful  novel  an  unconventional,  self-sacrificing 
mother  tries  to  keep  a  step  ahead  of  her  children.  But  her  daughter 
abandons  herself  to  a  wastrel;  her  son  loses  himself  in  foreign  art 
colonies;  and  finally  her  husband  runs  away  to  a  younger  woman.  After 
such  a  family  wreck,  is  there  anything  left  for  the  mother?  This  woman 
steps  out  to  live  her  own  life. 

Other  books  by  Jean  Devanny 

BUSHMAN  BURKE    A  fascinating  drama  of  the  conflict  between 
the  superficial  sophistication  of  a  city  girl 
and  the  clean  simplicity  of  a  man  from  the  bush  country. 

DAWN  BELOVED    An  untamed  girl  from  the  New  Zealand  hills, 
follows  the  blind  impulse  of  love  that  leads  to 
tremendous  experiences  in  a  rough  and  ready  mining  town. 

THE  BUTCHER  SHOP    The  strange,  compellingly  real  story  of 

a  girl  caught  in  the  tempest  of  modern 
unrest.    She  tries  to  make  a  sublimated  desire  the  only  test  of  fidelity. 

Macaulay    •    381  Fourth  Ave.     •     New  York 


Hollywood  Gold 

by  Phyllis  Gordon  Demarest 
Author  of  Children  of  Hollywood 

YOU  who  know  Hollywood  will  recognize  the 
realness  of  this  story.  And  you  who  do  not 
know  it  must  glimpse  the  glory  —  sometimes 
stained,  sometimes  fine — that  is  a  very  part  of  the 
film  city.  Each  character  has  been  drawn  with 
a  fine  pen,  each  a  representative  type  true  to  the 
Hollywood  of  today. 

This  widely-emhracing  novel  is,  first  of  all,  the 
story  of  Eden.  Eden  who  loved  Terry  O'Day  and 
helped  him  to  stardom,  little  dreaming  that  her 
unselfishness  would  only  bring  tragedy  in  its 
wake.  But  Julian  Falcon,  greatest  of  all  directors, 
knew  and  warned  her — too  la,te.  It  was  only  after 
that  that  he  came  to  play  his  big  part  in  Eden's 
life,  along  with  the  loveliest  star  of  the  screen, 
Gay  Maynard.  .  .  . 

"Hollywood  Gold."  Gold — that  is  the  secret  god 
trailing  the  destinies  of  those  high  and  mighty, 
those  insignificant  and  lowly  connected  with  the 
film  industry.  How  many  lives  does  the  great  god 
ruin?  How  many  does  he  illumine? 

In  this  the  only  honest  novel  of  Hollywood  ever 
published,  lies  the  answer. 

Macauiay  Publishers  New  York 


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